Trump claims Biden’s NATO push triggered Ukraine war

Former U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on Friday that the conflict in Ukraine was sparked by the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO, a move he claims was supported by President Joe Biden. Trump argued in a podcast hosted by David Sacks that Russia’s reaction to this potential NATO expansion led directly to the invasion of Ukraine.

“For 20 years, I heard that if Ukraine goes into NATO, it’s a real problem for Russia,” Trump stated on the podcast. “And I think that’s really why this war started.” He criticized Biden for making statements that suggested support for Ukraine’s NATO membership, including remarks about Ukraine’s sovereign decisions and U.S. policy.

Russia started the Ukraine invasion in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War beginning in 2014 on Feb. 24, 2022. The invasion turned up as the biggest assault on a European nation since World War II.

On the day of the invasion, US President Biden delivered his remarks regarding “Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.” He pointedly accused Vladimir Putin of extensive military buildup and logistical preparations, asserting that these actions demonstrated Russia’s calculated intent.

He affirmed NATO’s solidarity and clarified that U.S. forces are bolstering Eastern European allies, saying “we’re also taking steps to defend our NATO Allies.”

Trump’s assertions have ignited debate, with some backing his view and others labeling it as aligning with Russian propaganda. Critics have pointed out inconsistencies in Trump’s claims and highlighted his reliance on unverified information.