Republican former and US presidential candidate Donald Trump has strongly criticised Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky as he says he refuses to strike a deal with Russia to end the war that broke out in 2022.

“We continue to give billions of dollars to someone who refuses to make a deal,” said Mr Trump, who will seek re-election on November 5. “Every time he comes to our country, he leaves with $60 billion, I think he’s the best trader on the planet,” the tycoon added sarcastically during a campaign appearance in North Carolina.

“So many dead (…) any deal, even the worst deal, would be better than what you have now,” he continued.

“You have a country that has been wiped off the map, it cannot be rebuilt,” Trump explained. “It will take hundreds of years to rebuild. There wouldn’t be enough money even if the whole planet came together.”

Donald Trump blamed Democratic outgoing President Joe Biden and his vice president and presidential rival Kamala Harris for the way they continue to support Ukraine, saying he would end it if elected on November 5.

“They’re not going to be satisfied until they send children of America” to fight in Ukraine, the tycoon claimed. “We will not send our soldiers to be killed across the ocean” if he wins, he promised.

Mr. Biden will welcome Mr. Zelensky to the White House today. The Ukrainian president is expected to present a much-discussed “victory plan” over Russia at the meeting.

Zelensky had days ago expressed a desire to meet with Mr Trump during his visit to the US, but according to a report by news website Politico, that scenario now appears to be ruled out.