Explosive leaked audio recordings have revealed Donald Trump telling European leaders he would have forced Ukraine to abandon its resistance against Russia and hand Vladimir Putin a major energy victory if he were still in power.
The shocking conversation, obtained by The Independent, shows the former US president boasting about how he would have pressured Kyiv to accept Moscow's terms regarding gas transit fees - a move that would have severely weakened Ukraine's economy and strategic position.
'I would have told Zelenskyy: Make a deal'
In the bombshell recording, Trump is heard telling a group of European politicians: "I would have told Zelenskyy: 'Make a deal.'" The comments refer to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and suggest Trump would have undermined Ukraine's negotiating position against Russian aggression.
The revelation comes at a critical moment as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, now entering its third year with Western support hanging in the balance.
Putin's Gazprom demands
According to the audio, Trump specifically mentioned he would have compelled Ukraine to accept Russia's state-controlled energy giant Gazprom's terms for gas transit through Ukrainian territory. This would have:
- Dramatically reduced Ukraine's leverage in energy negotiations
- Strengthened Russia's economic position in Eastern Europe
- Undermined European energy security
- Weakened Ukraine's ability to fund its defence efforts
European leaders stunned by remarks
The conversation occurred during a private meeting with European conservatives where Trump made no secret of his admiration for Putin's negotiating tactics. "Putin negotiates hard, he negotiates well," Trump is heard saying in the recording.
European officials present during the exchange expressed deep concern about what a potential second Trump administration could mean for Ukraine's future and European security architecture.
Implications for 2024 election
With Trump leading in many US presidential polls, the leaked audio raises urgent questions about America's future commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. The revelations come as:
- Ukraine faces ammunition shortages amid delayed Western aid
- European nations struggle to fill the potential gap in US support
- Russia consolidates territorial gains in eastern Ukraine
- Global energy markets remain volatile
The timing couldn't be more significant, with world leaders preparing for potential shifts in international alliances depending on November's election outcome.
