Trump Jr. Suggests President Could Walk Away From Ukraine Over Corruption and Failed Peace Talks

DOHA, Qatar — Trump Jr. Questions U.S. Commitment to Kyiv

At the Doha Forum, Donald Trump Jr. criticized what he described as deep-rooted corruption in Ukraine’s institutions and suggested that his father, President Donald Trump, might withdraw U.S. support if Kyiv fails to reach a peace agreement with Moscow.

Speaking at the high-profile international gathering, the president’s eldest son argued that entrenched graft has hampered Ukraine and, in his view, is fueling the conflict on both sides. He singled out recent political turmoil in Kyiv — including the resignation of senior aide Andriy Yermak amid a corruption probe — while noting that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been personally accused of corruption.

"Because of the war, and because he's one of the great marketers of all times, Zelenskyy became a borderline deity, especially to the left, where he could do no wrong, he was beyond reproach," Trump Jr. said.

When asked whether the U.S. president might "walk away" from Ukraine, Trump Jr. replied, "I think he may," and argued that his father’s unpredictability can be an advantage:

"What's good about my father, and what's unique about my father, is you don't know what he's going to do. The fact that he's not predictable … forces everyone to actually deal in an intellectually honest capacity."

The younger Trump framed his comments within a broader critique of U.S. foreign policy, saying that his father's administration has sought a negotiated peace between Kyiv and Moscow with limited success. He also defended actions aimed at drug‑smuggling networks, pointing to reported airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean alleged to be carrying narcotics and calling cartel violence a more immediate threat to Americans.

"That's a far greater clear and present danger to the United States than anything going on in Ukraine and Russia," he said.

Trump Jr. appeared onstage in Doha with business partner Omeed Malik of 1789 Capital. When asked whether his father would seek a third presidential term — which the U.S. Constitution does not permit — he laughed and said, "We'll see what happens," adding that the prospect may be part of a strategy to provoke political opponents.

The remarks are likely to inflame supporters of Ukraine and critics who argue the Trump family has expanded financial ties with Gulf states, including Qatar. Those ties reportedly include plans for a luxury golf resort in Qatar and the highly publicized transfer this year of a Boeing 747 to the administration that has drawn scrutiny over whether it was offered as a gift and how it might be used.

At the Qatar Economic Forum in May, Trump Jr. also did not rule out his own future political ambitions, responding "maybe one day" when asked about a potential presidential run.