Trump's Pre-Invasion Warning to Zelenskyy: The Deal That Never Was

A striking revelation has emerged from the pages of a new book, "The Apprentice: Donald Trump, the White House and the End of America," co-authored by CNN’s Dana Bash and David Mark. The book details how, in the tumultuous period leading up to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, former President Donald Trump reportedly delivered a stark warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: strike a deal with Vladimir Putin or face catastrophic destruction.

The alleged advice came during a phone call between the two leaders, a pivotal moment that predates the devastating events of February 2022.

According to the authors, Trump’s message to Zelenskyy was unambiguous: "If you don't make a deal with Putin, you're going to have destruction. You're going to have a lot more of it." This sentiment, echoed repeatedly by Trump since the invasion, suggests a consistent belief that a swift, negotiated settlement, even one involving significant concessions, was the path to avoiding war.

Trump’s stance on the conflict has remained steadfast, often boasting that he could broker a peace deal within 24 hours of returning to office.

However, the details of such a deal have always remained elusive, prompting considerable speculation and concern among international observers and allies. Critics argue that his approach often overlooks the complexities of international law, national sovereignty, and the moral implications of ceding territory to an aggressor.

In stark contrast, President Zelenskyy has consistently rejected the notion of territorial concessions for peace.

His unwavering position has been that Ukraine will not surrender any part of its sovereign territory, including Crimea or the Donbas regions, as a prerequisite for ending the conflict. This firm resolve is rooted in the belief that such concessions would only embolden future aggression and undermine the principles of international order.

The reported exchange also brings to mind Trump's previous dealings with Ukraine.

In 2019, his administration faced intense scrutiny and ultimately an impeachment inquiry for allegedly withholding crucial military aid to Ukraine while pressuring Zelenskyy to investigate political rivals. This historical context adds another layer of complexity to the recently revealed advice, suggesting a pattern in Trump's transactional approach to foreign policy, where "deals" often take precedence over established diplomatic norms or strategic alliances.

The book’s revelations underscore the fundamental divergence in philosophy between Trump’s transactional, deal-focused worldview and Zelenskyy’s unwavering commitment to national sovereignty and resistance.

As the war in Ukraine continues, this pre-invasion warning offers a critical insight into the geopolitical landscape and the differing visions for how peace might be achieved – or avoided – in a world grappling with aggressive expansionism.