Wallace Accuses Trump of Favoring Moscow Over Kyiv
Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated that Donald Trump "wants Russia to win" the war in Ukraine, citing the US president's belief that "might is right" on the global stage. Wallace argued that this worldview explains why Trump is siding with Vladimir Putin over Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Speaking to Radio 4’s PM programme, Wallace said, "His actions show he’s much more supportive of Russia than Ukraine and that should worry us all." His comments followed recent statements by Trump accusing Zelenskyy of not wanting to agree to a peace deal and suggesting the Ukrainian president should be replaced.
Wallace told the BBC Radio 4 PM programme that Trump’s national security strategy, published at the beginning of the year, indicated a belief in "spheres of influence." He noted that Trump has talked about the western hemisphere being the United States and recognizes that Russia operates under similar principles.
According to Wallace, the Russian foreign ministry welcomed Trump’s national security strategy as being aligned with Moscow. Wallace described Trump as someone who "bully people," suggesting the US president would wish the war to end so he could be a "legend in his own golf tour" and hope other matters move on.
Wallace praised Zelenskyy for standing up to bullying and fighting for survival, contrasting the Ukrainian leader's stance with Trump's approach. BBC Radio 4 PM tweeted Wallace’s comments on October 15, 2026, noting concerns over the future of US support for Ukraine.
Trump Criticizes Zelenskyy as 'Difficult to Deal With'
In an interview on Thursday, Trump said Zelenskyy was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and again suggested he should be replaced as Ukraine’s president. The US president claimed the war "should end soon," adding that while both sides would like it to end, he finds Zelenskyy more difficult to deal with than Putin.
These remarks from Trump come amid growing scrutiny of his foreign policy stance. Wallace’s critique highlights a deepening rift in transatlantic relations, with the former UK defence chief warning that Trump's personal dynamics and strategic outlook pose significant risks to Kyiv's survival.