Trump calls on China and Russia to cut military budgets: Is nuclear disarmament possible?

Speaking at a joint press conference at the White House with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump assessed the Ukraine-Russia war. Trump noted that US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia next week to discuss the process for ending the war. Stating that NATO cannot accept Ukraine for membership, Trump pointed out that this issue is Russia's 'red line.' Trump also sent messages regarding relations with China, expressing that he finds it 'logical' to reduce military budgets through an agreement that would also include Russia.

Trump declared that opening the path for Ukraine's NATO membership was one of the significant reasons Moscow entered the war. He emphasized that both sides would need to take certain steps to end the war.

Implying that Ukraine would need to make more concessions for the war to end, Trump stated the following:

''From day one, even before President Putin, they said Ukraine could not be a NATO member. They said it very strongly. I actually think that is what caused the war to start. (Former US President Joe) Biden said it, (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy said it, and I think that was one of the reasons the war started. I am starting from that perspective. I think everyone knew that.''

During the meeting between Trump and Modi, it was noted that India would strengthen its trade ties with the US. Modi sent a message that they could enter into mutual investment agreements with the US regarding artificial intelligence technologies.

MESSAGES REGARDING CHINA-US RELATIONS

Stating that he had very good relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first presidential term until the start of COVID-19, Trump made assessments regarding the situation between the US and China. Pointing to China's breakthroughs in nuclear armament, the US President argued that 'military spending is irrational.' Calling for a mutual agreement between China and the US, Trump announced that he wants to make a deal between the three countries to cut military budgets by half.

Stating his belief that he will have good relations with China, Trump shared the following views:

''I was getting along very well with President Xi, until the COVID-19 incident. I don't want to be naive, but when it comes to leaders, I think we were very close with Xi and that China is a very important player in the world. I think they can help us end the Ukraine-Russia war. I hope China, India, Russia, and us get along well. This is very important.''

Recalling that he took steps toward nuclear disarmament during his first presidential term, Trump stated:

''(Xi) is building a very strong nuclear power. It is not very close to Russia and the US right now, but it will be soon. Let's say our military spending this year is 900 billion dollars; Russia was spending close to 100 (billion dollars) without the war, but I cannot say how much they are spending with the war, but they are spending a lot. China is also spending 400-450 billion dollars. And I said, it really doesn't make sense to spend this money against each other. If we get along well, we can spend this money for better purposes.''

In a previous statement, Trump claimed that Russia had lost around 850 thousand soldiers and Ukraine around 700 thousand in the war in Ukraine.

News Source: AA