Trump calls US ‘nation in decline’, touts ‘very good relationship’ with Putin as Biden visits Kyiv

Former US President Donald Trump in a post has referred to the US as a nation in “serious decline” and touted his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Joe Biden made a surprise visit to war-torn Ukraine.

On Truth Social, Trump referred to America as a nation in “serious decline”, suggesting that another four years under his leadership would “fix” things, The Independent reported.

He also claimed that Putin would never, ever have invaded Ukraine if he was the President. “I actually had a very good relationship,” Trump said.

Recalling one of the “tough questions” he was asked during his term as US President, Trump said all hell broke loose when he gave a “good answer”.

When asked why he trusted Putin more than his intelligence community’s assessment that Russia meddled in the 2016 election, Trump said, “Oh, all hell broke loose. But that’s okay, you know, that’s okay. And it turned out I was right. I was right about that, too.”

While Trump remains the only declared 2024 presidential candidate, potential challengers, including Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, are expected to get their campaigns underway in the coming months.

Trump’s claim of having a very special relationship with Putin came at a time US President Joe Biden made an hourslong visit to Kyiv, pledging unwavering commitment to Ukraine, nearly one year into Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Biden travelled by train to Kyiv and strolled in the sunshine with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced $500 million in additional military aid.

“Kyiv has captured a part of my heart,” Biden said.