Fact Check: ukraine is to blame for the war with russia

Fact Check: "Ukraine is to blame for the war with Russia"

What We Know

Recently, former President Donald Trump claimed that Ukraine is responsible for the ongoing war with Russia, stating, “You should have never started it” and suggesting that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a “dictator without elections” (AP News). This assertion contradicts the established timeline and context of the conflict. The war began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, which was preceded by Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and ongoing aggression in the Donbas region (BBC, Wikipedia).

Zelenskyy was elected in 2019, and elections are suspended due to martial law, which has been in effect since the invasion began (BBC). Claims about Zelenskyy's approval ratings have also been misrepresented; a recent poll indicated that around 57% of Ukrainians still trust him, contrary to Trump's assertion of a 4% approval rating (AP News, BBC).

Analysis

Trump's comments reflect a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the conflict's origins. The assertion that Ukraine started the war aligns with narratives often propagated by Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, who has consistently denied responsibility for the invasion (NPR, CNBC). This framing serves to deflect blame from Russia, which has been the aggressor in this conflict.

The credibility of Trump's claims is further undermined by the lack of evidence provided for his statements. For instance, he did not cite any sources for his claim regarding Zelenskyy's approval rating. In contrast, reputable polling organizations have documented a significant level of public trust in Zelenskyy, despite a noted decline from earlier in the conflict (BBC).

Moreover, the assertion that Ukraine has not held elections due to martial law overlooks the complexities of conducting elections during wartime, especially considering the displacement of millions of citizens and ongoing military operations (AP News, BBC). Zelenskyy has indicated that elections will be held once it is safe to do so, which is a responsible approach given the circumstances.

Conclusion

The claim that "Ukraine is to blame for the war with Russia" is False. The war was initiated by Russia's invasion, which was justified by unfounded claims of protecting Russian-speaking populations and preventing Ukraine's NATO membership. Trump's statements misrepresent the facts and echo Russian disinformation, failing to acknowledge the historical context and the realities faced by Ukraine.