Trump to Zelensky: Accept Peace Deal by Christmas

Writing on social media on Tuesday night, Zelensky said he was working “very actively” with European allies to formulate a proposal to end the war.

Trump: Zelensky is losing

Trump told Politico, a news website: “Russia has the upper hand, and they always did. They’re much bigger. They’re much stronger in that sense.

“I give the people of Ukraine and the military of Ukraine tremendous credit for the bravery and for the fighting and all of that.

“But you know, at some point, size will win, generally. And this is a massive size, when you take a look at the numbers, I mean, the numbers are just crazy.”

Asked what would happen if Zelensky rejected the latest US proposals, the president replied: “Well, he’s going to have to get on the ball and start accepting things. You know, when you’re losing, because he’s losing.”

On Monday, the Ukrainian president told reporters: “To be honest, the Americans are looking for a compromise today.”

During the Politico interview, Trump suggested that European leaders would continue their support for Ukraine’s armed resistance aimlessly “until they drop” or suffer a military defeat.

“I mean, look, then they should support it. Europe... I’m friendly with all of them. I mean, I like all of them. I have no real enemy,” Trump said.

“I’ve had a couple that I didn’t like over the years. I actually like the current crew. I like them a lot. I know them really well. Some are friends. Some are OK. I know the good leaders. I know the bad leaders. I know the smart ones. I know the stupid ones.

“You get some real stupid ones, too. But they’re not doing a good job. Europe is not doing a good job in many ways.”

Trump said European leaders “talk, but they don’t produce”. When asked whether he thought the Europeans were doing the right thing, he replied: “Well, they can’t be doing too right because look what’s happened.”

The US president added that Europe’s immigration policies had made the continent a “different place”.

“And if it keeps going the way it’s going, Europe will not be… in my opinion, many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer. Their immigration policy is a disaster,” he said, while singling out London under Sir Sadiq Khan’s leadership.

Trump said: “If you take a look at London, you have a mayor named Khan. He’s a horrible mayor. He’s an incompetent mayor, but he’s a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor.

“I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen.”