US Presidential Debate: Trump says Zelensky 'greatest salesman ever'

Atlanta [US]: Former US President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, the two contenders in the presidential race had a go at each other over their foreign policies, especially concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas war.

In a televised debate on CNN on Thursday (local time) Trump, the Republican Challenger in the US presidential elections scheduled later this year, claimed that it was the US' "embarrassing" withdrawal from Afghanistan that prompted Putin to start the war against Ukraine. He further claimed both conflicts wouldn't have occurred if Trump had been in office.

"He was so bad with Afghanistan, it was so embarrassing...when Putin watched that so much incompetency...when Putin says that he said 'I think we are gonna go in," Trump said.

Terming Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal", Biden warned that if Russia captures Ukraine, it might lead to further conflicts in Europe.

Trump reiterated his claim that he would end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, "before he takes office."

He also took a jibe at the US support to Ukraine so far, calling Zelensky a "salesman."

"But, this is a war, that never should have started. He (Biden) has given USD 200 billion or more to Ukraine...that's a lot of money. Every time, Zelensky comes to the country, he walks away with USD 60 billion, he's the greatest salesman ever," Trump said.

"It should have never happened. I would have this war settled between Putin and Zelenskyy as president-elect before taking office on January 20," he added.

(With ANI inputs)