Former US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he could have influenced a cessation of the war in Ukraine within 24 hours by negotiation if he were still president, adding that the war would not have happened if he were still in his position. 

"If I were president, the Russia/Ukraine war would never have happened, but even now, if president, I would be able to negotiate an end to this horrible and rapidly escalating war within 24 hours," Trump said on the Truth Social platform.

Just a day earlier, Trump called out current US President Joe Biden's decision to transfer 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine because he believes it may instigate a reaction by Russia to deploy nuclear weapons - warning that it could lead to a World War III, stating on Truth Social: "FIRST COME THE TANKS, THEN COME THE NUKES. Get this crazy war ended, NOW. So easy to do!"

This comes two days after Biden's administration announced the decision to ship the 31 tanks to Ukraine. However, US officials have stated that it will take a few months to finalize the training and delivery process before they can be mobilized on the battlefields in Ukraine, most likely they wouldn't be delivered before the anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive. 

Costing around $10 million a piece, the US-made complex battle tank is very difficult to maintain and will pose a logistical challenge to be resupplied as it operates on jet fuel.

Americans oppose Ukraine aid

Last month, a survey conducted by the Chicago Council showed a remarkable decline in American popular support for Ukraine's military aid, in light of the war in Ukraine, which began in late February 2022.

Nearly half of Americans say Washington should urge Kiev to settle for peace with Russia, according to the same survey.

"Republican backing for aid to Ukraine has slipped since the spring, with 55 percent of Republicans saying they support sending military aid, compared with 68 percent in July and 80 percent in March," the survey found.

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