A non-partisan research post - London
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Are loans not assets to be protected from external threats ?
Social Media comment: Also, don't fall for Trump's idea of giving aid to Ukraine only in the form of loans in the future. There are two catches here: first, he can use this as further delay tactics by not agreeing on any terms or unacceptable terms for Ukraine, and second, Ukraine will need financial help still after any type of end of the war. Trump's terms could be used to crush Ukraine financially even after a military victory.
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Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate for the US presidency, made the statement at a rally in Dayton, Ohio on Saturday.
He argued to his supporters that providing loans to Ukraine would be a preferable approach compared to simply "handing over checks."
Trump went on to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “the greatest salesman in history”.
“Loan them the money, don’t just hand them a check for 60 billion [dollars]”, he said.
Trump then added in a mocking tone: “I tell you, Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen in history. Every time he comes to the country, he walks away with 50 or 60 billion dollars.”
“I‘ve never been able to do this. He is a better salesman,” the Republican added.
His comments came in response to the request of American lawmakers to approve a massive USD 60 billion aid package for Ukraine to fend off Russia’s invasion.
On Saturday, Poland’s Prime Minister
reiterated his call on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to "take a decision" on unblocking the stalled aid programme.
Trump also told the Ohio rally on Saturday that November's presidential election will be the "most important date" in US history, painting his campaign for the White House as a turning point for the country.
In early February, Trump said at a rally, that he would "encourage" Russia to attack any NATO member that fails to pay its bills as part of the Western military alliance, and let aggressors “do whatever the hell they want".
His invitation for Russia to invade NATO countries catalysed anxiety that Europe may have to fight Russian aggression alone, as Trump and his followers are becoming increasingly assertive that supporting Ukraine is a bad deal for the U.S.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is advocating for lending rather than giving money to Ukraine, the Polish Radio news agency IAR reported on Sunday.
www.polskieradio.pl
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