Breaking News: Trump says ‘ungrateful’ Zelensky took US cash like ‘candy from a baby’ as he explains reasons behind White House row…..See More

PRESIDENT Donald Trump believes “ungrateful” Zelensky took US cash like “candy from a baby” for war-torn Ukraine as he explains the reasons behind the infamous White House row.

It comes as top diplomats from the US including Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet the Ukrainian delegation for talks on ending the war in Saudi Arabia in a few days.

Trump has labelled Zelensky as ungrateful, just over a week after the pair’s extraordinary Oval Office bust up, and blamed the Biden administration for giving Ukraine billions in military aid.

In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, he said: “It was like taking candy from a baby what he did.

“He’s a smart guy, and he’s a tough guy, and he took money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby – it was so easy with that same attitude.

“I just don’t think he’s grateful. We gave him $350 billion.”

The President also stressed that he has been “very tough with Russia, tougher than anyone has ever been to Russia”.

Trump’s past comments, including labelling the Ukrainian leader a “dictator,” fuelled speculation that he was siding with Moscow, and he has previously cast doubt on continued US support for Ukraine.

Slamming these claims, the Republican said: “I stopped the Russian pipeline, I’m the one that put sanctions on Russia, I’m the one that gave the Javelins, but I get along well with Putin.

“Nobody has been tougher on Russia than Donald Trump and they know that.”

He added that despite this, he “got along with Putin,” just like he “got along with Kim Jong-un” and China’s President Xi Jinping.

As Europe continues to bolster its defence, with French President Macron revealing on Wednesday that his country could gear up its nuclear deterrent to protect the continent, Trump said: “We spend a lot of money on nuclear weapons – the level of destruction is beyond anything you can imagine.

It’s just bad that you have to spend all this money on something that if its used, its probably the end of the world.”

It came after Trump called for the world to “get rid of nuclear weapons”.

The Republican said on Friday: “I know Russia and us have by far the most.

“China will have an equal amount within 4-5 years.

“It would be great if we could all denuclearise because the power of nuclear weapons is crazy.”

Ukrainian President Zelensky will not be meeting with US representatives in Saudi Arabia next week for peace talks as both sides try to build back their damaged relationship.

The talks set to take place in Jeddah, will see his team meet with Americans while the President returns to Kyiv after meeting the crown prince.

In a post he said: “Next week, on Monday, my trip to Saudi Arabia is planned to meet with the crown prince.

After that my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with American partners. Ukraine is most interested in peace.

“As we conveyed to president Trump Ukraine is working and will continue working exclusively in a constructive manner to reach a quick and stable peace.”

On Friday, Trump accused Vlad’s forces of “pounding” the cities – and said he was “strongly considering” a tough new regime of sanctions and tariffs.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.

To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”

His blasting post on is his most direct attack on the Russians since he steered his new administration into the role of peacemaker.

The post marked a decisive pivot, suggesting Trump was willing to exert economic pressure on Russia to ensure long-term peace.

Russia has been blitzing Ukraine with massive overnight strikes, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.

On Thursday last night, Nato was forced to scramble fighter jets after Moscow launched a massive missile drone strike on Ukrainian gas facilities.

The overnight missile blitz came after Ukrainians were left raging after Trump axed sharing intelligence – leaving Kyiv’s troops “fighting blind”.

The Nato fighter planes were on alert to shoot down any Russian missiles entering Polish airspace as tensions continue to spiral between Europe, Russia and the US.

Zelensky had proposed an aerial truce with Moscow following the overnight attack and having met with EU leaders at the summit.

In a social media post, Zelensky called for “silence in the skies – a ban on the use of missiles, long-range drones and bombs.