US President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine “may be Russian someday,” throwing into question the future independence of a sovereign country that, with Western backing, has defended itself against Moscow’s full-scale invasion for nearly three years.

Donald Trump has hinted that Ukraine could eventually become part of Russia, as his vice president, JD Vance, is set to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy later this week. Despite previously claiming he could end the war in 24 hours,