03 June 2024 , 15:00
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Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed Donald Trump is at risk of becoming a "loser president" if he cuts off funding to Ukraine - amid fears it could result in World War 3.
President Zelensky issued a chilling warning if Trump returns to the White House in November claiming it would mean the end of the US as a global "player." Trump, who boasted last year he could end the Russia-Ukraine war in "24 hours", is expected to cut off US military support to Ukraine if he beats Joe Biden.
Zelensky believes that if Trump wins, he could impose a devastating defeat on Ukraine. Speaking to The Guardian, the leader said Trump could cut off "support, weapons and money", and "make deals" with Ukraine's partners to stop deliveries of much-needed arms.
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Zelenskyy believes that if Trump wins, he could impose a devastating defeat on Ukraine. (AFP via Getty Images)“Ukraine, barehanded, without weapons, will not be able to fight a multimillion [Russian] army,” Zelensky said. Asked whether the US's standing in the world would be diminished if Trump withdrew military support for Ukraine, Zelensky replied: “Does he want to become a loser president? Do you understand what can happen?"
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Zelensky continued: “This is not about him [Trump], as a person but about the institutions of the United States. They will become very weak. The US will not be the leader of the world any more. Yes, it will be powerful, first of all, in the domestic economy because it has a powerful economy without a doubt. But in terms of international influence it will be equal to zero.”
Trump is expected to cut off US military support to Ukraine if he beats Joe Biden (Getty Images)Pressed on whether the US would no longer be "a player", Zelensky admitted authoritarian countries and leaders would “come into the arena” and copy Putin’s aggressive “approach” - resulting in a devastating war. “The beginning of what everyone is so afraid to talk about. This is reality. And this is the real third world war”, he said.
His comments come as Zelensky met with the Philippine president on Monday in a rare Asian trip to urge regional leaders to attend a Swiss-organized global peace summit on the war in Ukraine that he accuses Russia, with China’s help, of trying to undermine.
Zelensky arrived unannounced and under heavy security in Manila late Sunday after speaking over the weekend at the Shangri-La defence forum in Singapore. He was given a red-carpet welcome with military honours Monday at the presidential palace before meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., after which he left the Philippines.
Marcos pledged that his country would take part in the peace summit, Philippine Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said. “I’m happy to hear today from you that you’ll participate in our peace steps,” Zelensky told Marcos. “It’s a very strong signal.”