Trump blames Zelenskyy for 'starting' Ukraine war: Should've ended it 3 years ago

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) lashed out at his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him for "starting" the Ukraine war and said he should have made a deal to end the fighting with Russia nearly three years ago.

Trump's remarks came after the US and Russia participated in talks held in Riyadh to discuss the ending of the Ukraine war, which is entering its third year, after Russia invaded the neighbouring country in 2022. Ukraine was not involved in Tuesday's talks.

Zelenskyy reacted to Ukraine's exclusion from the talks and said his country would not accept any outcome related to the Ukraine war, according to The Associated Press.

In response, Trump said, "Today I heard, 'oh, we weren't invited.' Well you've been there for three years. You should have ended it. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

The US President also said that he would "probably" meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this month. Earlier, Trump said he had been in contact with both Putin and Zelenskyy on ending the Ukraine war.

Briefing reporters on US-Russian talks in Riyadh earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two sides did not establish a date for a Trump-Putin summit to discuss Ukraine.

Rubio also said there would be "engagement and consultation with Ukraine, with our partners in Europe and others. But ultimately, the Russian side will be indispensable to this effort".

US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the talks were aimed at determining how serious the Russians are about achieving peace and whether detailed negotiations can start, The Associated Press reported.

Trump slammed former President Joe Biden for his handling of the Ukraine issue. "I think I have the power to end this war," he said.

Sean Savett, who was spokesperson for the White House Security Council under Biden, said that Russia started the war.

"Sounds like Trump bought Putin's propaganda hook, line, and sinker. A reminder no one should need: Putin started the war by invading Ukraine unprovoked and his forces have committed war crimes against the Ukrainian people. Russia is the party responsible for this war continuing," he said.

Trump also said Ukraine should hold elections. "That's not a Russia thing. That's something coming from me and coming from many other countries also," he added.

(with inputs from agencies)