Former President Donald Trump, responding to news that Russian President Vladimir Putin had commenced a “special military operation” in Ukraine, said the invasion would never have happened under his administration.
Trump made the comments during a call-in interview with Fox News personality Laura Ingraham.
“This should have never happened. This would not have happened during my administration,” he lamented. “In fact, some people are saying why didn’t this take place over the last four years?”
“It’s a sad thing for the world and the country and a lot of people that will be needlessly killed.”
Trump went on to indicate his relationship with Putin, in which he said he “got along with him fantastically,” would have given him leverage in keeping the Russian President in check.
WATCH: President Trump calls into Fox News as Putin announces “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“This would not have happened during my administration…it didn’t for a very good reason and I’ll explain that to you some day.” pic.twitter.com/V6LLgK4ih5
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 24, 2022
RELATED: Never Trumpers Cheney, Kinzinger Respond To Russia Crisis By Criticizing GOP And Trump
Trump: Russian Invasion of Ukraine Wouldn’t Have Happened Under Me
President Trump also surmised that Putin saw American weakness on display when the Biden administration oversaw the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“He saw the weakness and you know, it really started with the weakness in Afghanistan. The way they pulled out of Afghanistan,” he told Ingraham. “I really believe that’s where he started thinking he could do this.”
Donald Trump live on @FoxNews now on Putin taking Ukraine.
“It started with the weak pullout in Afghanistan. I believe that’s where Putin started to think he could do this.”
He ain’t wrong.
— Peter Stefanovic (@peterstefanovic) February 24, 2022
Trump also took a jab at Biden who Ingraham suggested, while reports had surfaced that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had commenced, was monitoring the situation and would address the nation at some point.
“I don’t think he’s monitoring, I think he is probably sleeping right now,” Trump quipped.
He added that he believes Putin views this as “the weakness and the incompetence and the stupidity of [the Biden] administration.”
If President Trump were still in office…
13 heroes would not have died in Afghanistan.
Russia would not be controlling the global conversation.
The economy would not be in shambles.
You would be able to afford gas!
Boy, how far we have fallen…
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) February 24, 2022
World at War
What is happening right now in Ukraine that Trump insists never would have happened if he were in office? War operations that haven’t been seen since the U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Explosions have been heard in Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv since before dawn on Thursday as Russia launched an all-out attack.
US official tells me: Right now we are seeing the pre assault fires. Expect this to go on for a few hours. Land attack to follow with ALL of the full forces Putin has arrayed. Explosions heard in Kiev, Odessa, Mariupol. “It’s begun.”
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 24, 2022
Scores of people are fleeing the city. Dozens of troops and at least 10 civilians have been killed according to Ukrainian leadership.
Fox News reporter Steve Harrigan, reporting live from Kyiv, heard explosions go off nearby during a broadcast.
Explosions erupt in Kyiv as Fox News’ Steve Harrigan reports live following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/CXRHfpG8UZ
— Fox & Friends First (@FoxFriendsFirst) February 24, 2022
Putin also issued a chilling warning to the West. A warning difficult to imagine he would have ever issued under stronger leadership in the United States.
“To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside – if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history,” he said.
Putin says that anyone who threatens Russia will face unprecedented consequences as global leaders condemn his invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/8xpUvZhsUd (video via @quicktake) pic.twitter.com/wSXrRi3MOH
— Bloomberg (@business) February 24, 2022
Remember, the Biden administration insisted they had this volatile situation under control.
Vice President Kamala Harris just days ago insisted that the White House strategy would “absolutely” prevent escalating conflict.
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“If Putin has made up his mind, do you feel that this threat that has been looming is really going to deter him?” a reporter asked her.
“Absolut- — we strongly believe — and remember also that the sanctions are a product not only of our perspective as the United States but a shared perspective among our Allies,” a White House transcript reads.
“After telling reporters that “Putin’s made his decision” to invade Ukraine, Kamala Harris says the threat of sanctions will “absolutely” deter him making the decision to invade. pic.twitter.com/VosvJPuR11“
— Republican Women of Mercer County ? (@RWOMC) February 21, 2022
Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured less than 48 hours ago that the administration “had a very clear-eyed view of President Putin all along.”
KAMALA HARRIS two days ago: Biden’s strategy will “absolutely” deter Putin.
ANTONY BLINKEN today: “We’ve had a very clear-eyed view of President Putin all along.” pic.twitter.com/fIxoOmgHFo
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 22, 2022
Trump also mentioned inflation and the southern border crisis in his interview noting that none of these disasters would have happened on his watch.
“As an American, I am angry and saddened,” he said.
“They are destroying our country.”
