Trump "Understands Russia's stance against joining Ukraine NATO"

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has again expressed sympathy for Russia's opposition to Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and NATO.

It is interpreted as an indication that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will finally oppose NATO membership, which he mentioned as a precondition for a ceasefire.

"The biggest problem is that Russia has long said 'Ukraine should not participate in NATO' since before Vladimir Putin," Trump said at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on the 7th local time.

Trump said it was "like being carved into a stone" in the sense that Russia's claims have been firmly repeated.

"But then somewhere after that, Biden insisted, 'No, Ukraine should be able to join NATO,'" he pointed out.

"Russia is putting someone right in front of the door," he said, adding, "I can understand how they will feel."

For that reason, Trump accused President Biden of breaking it even though a deal was possible that would satisfy everyone, including Ukraine.

Trump's remarks are interpreted as suggesting that Trump's intentions are leaning toward Russia's advantage ahead of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.