Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been referred to as a “crook” and a “punk” by a former top aide to Donald Trump.
Steve Bannon also told Sky’s Ali Fortescue he believes the US president should withdraw from a planned minerals deal with Ukraine.
In an extensive interview on the Politics Hub, the former chief strategist stated that Mr Trump’s efforts to enhance relations with Russia are a “brilliant” move.
Steve Bannon speaks at a conservative conference in Maryland earlier this month. Pic: AP
Mr Bannon expressed that the UK and Europe need to “awaken” and understand they have no reason to fear Russia invading the rest of Europe, as they lack the military capability to do so.
“The reconciliation of the United States with Russia undermines the control of the Chinese Community Party… it’s a brilliant move.”
Follow latest: Zelenskyy’s olive branch to Trump
He further mentioned that the EU “will follow suit” and emphasized that Mr Trump is making an effort to be a peace mediator.
However, he firmly opposed the idea of the leader agreeing to a deal with Ukraine‘s president for rare minerals, which was set to take place on Friday until they had a heated argument in the Oval Office.
“Absolutely not. He [Zelenskyy] had his chance. Zelenskyy is untrustworthy. He’s a crook and a punk. And he demonstrated his immaturity in the Oval Office the other day,” stated Mr Bannon.
He implied that the argument arose when Mr Zelenskyy attempted to secure guarantees from the US, a move that the American public would not approve of.
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Minerals deal a ‘gift’ to Ukraine
“They repeatedly warned him not to bring up security guarantees. A security guarantee entails… American troops and that is not feasible,” explained Mr Bannon.
He also argued that the deal was unnecessary and merely a “very vague framework” that could potentially tie the US to the “future reconstruction of the country”.
“We do not require a rare earth deal. The United States does not need rare earths from Ukraine. It was completely a gift to him and the Ukrainian people.”
Nevertheless, sources have indicated to the Reuters news agency that Mr Trump intends to announce the US and Ukraine’s minerals agreement during his congressional address on Tuesday.
Read more from Sky News:
JD Vance denies insulting British troops
Zelenskyy tries to mend US relations
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Mr Trump has frozen military aid to Kyiv in the most drastic action yet in his shift towards closer relations with Russia.
‘Let EU underwrite Ukraine security’
Mr Bannon also criticized European nations, highlighting that defence spending was inadequate: “Let them [the EU] step up and let them underwrite the security of Ukraine.”
In particular, he criticized the UK’s commitment to allocate 2.5% of GDP to defence as insufficient. He also critiqued Britain’s military capabilities, stating that the economy “cannot afford it”, and adding that the “bond market has already ousted Liz Truss“.
He stated that the “truth” is that much of NATO did not allocate enough towards defence, has falsely claimed for years its ability to confront Russia, and would struggle to deploy “two combat divisions”.
Mr Bannon also accused “much of the British establishment” of collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party.
Regarding UK politics, he mentioned that he is “a Nigel Farage guy and supports Reform“.
Mr Farage has a close relationship with the US president but has had to show more caution in his praise lately – acknowledging that British public opinion strongly supports Mr Zelenskyy and Ukraine.