Former US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” and intensifying their diplomatic rift. The remark follows Zelensky’s criticism of recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was excluded. Zelensky accused Trump of “living in a disinformation space” influenced by Moscow.
Trump’s Accusations and Global Reactions
Speaking at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, Trump claimed that Zelensky was only adept at “playing Joe Biden like a fiddle.” His “dictator” remark swiftly drew backlash from European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the statement, asserting that it was “wrong and dangerous” to question Zelensky’s democratic legitimacy.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also reaffirmed his support for Zelensky. In a phone call, Starmer assured the Ukrainian president of the UK’s unwavering backing. A Downing Street spokesperson emphasized that suspending elections during wartime is “perfectly reasonable,” citing the UK’s precedent during World War Two.
Upcoming Diplomatic Talks
Despite the controversy, Zelensky is set to meet US envoy Keith Kellogg on Thursday, aiming to maintain constructive cooperation with Washington. In a social media post, the Ukrainian leader stressed that peace would be more secure with continued US and European support.
Zelensky’s presidency, which began in 2019, was due to conclude in May 2024. However, with Ukraine under martial law since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, elections remain suspended.
Europe Condemns Trump’s Remarks
European leaders, including Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, denounced Trump’s comments. Baerbock labeled the accusation “absurd,” stating, “If you look at reality instead of just firing off tweets, you’ll see who truly lives under a dictatorship—people in Russia and Belarus.”
Trump reiterated his “dictator” claim in a Truth Social post, alleging that Zelensky refused to hold elections and had low approval ratings. “He’s low in the real Ukrainian polls. How can you be high when every city is being demolished?” Trump said.
Trump’s Claims on Ukraine’s Resources and War Efforts
Trump also accused Ukraine of reneging on an agreement regarding rare-earth minerals. “They broke the deal,” he said, without providing specifics. His online post further criticized Zelensky, claiming he had done a “terrible job” leading Ukraine and that “MILLIONS have unnecessarily died.”
A White House official countered Trump’s statements, attributing them to Zelensky’s “disinformation” remarks. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk dismissed Trump’s claims, asserting that “Russia is popping champagne right now” in celebration.
Trump Blames Ukraine for War
The latest war of words originated from a Tuesday press conference at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump shifted blame for the conflict onto Ukraine. When asked by BBC News about Ukrainians feeling betrayed, he responded: “They’ve had a seat at the table for years. This could have been settled easily. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.”
Notably, Trump omitted the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in February 2022. Zelensky later fired back, accusing Trump of perpetuating Russian disinformation and asserting that the US had inadvertently helped Putin break out of international isolation.
Zelensky Rejects Trump’s Allegations on Popularity
Trump has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s popularity, claiming his approval rating stands at just 4%. However, BBC Verify reports that a recent poll found 57% of Ukrainians trust their president—a stark contrast to Trump’s assertion.
EU Responds with New Sanctions on Russia
Amid the controversy, the European Union has announced fresh sanctions on Russia, targeting aluminum exports, illegal oil transport vessels, and additional Russian banks by disconnecting them from the Swift payment system. More Russian media outlets will also face bans across Europe.
Meanwhile, Putin stated he would be willing to meet with Trump “with pleasure.”
Trump’s Position on US-Ukraine Relations
Trump’s stance on Ukraine has increasingly aligned with Russian rhetoric. In his Truth Social post, he argued that the war in Ukraine “is far more important to Europe than it is to us.” He added, “We have a big, beautiful ocean as a separation.”
As the situation unfolds, the impact of Trump’s remarks on US foreign policy and global alliances remains to be seen. Stay tuned for more updates on US-Ukraine relations and international reactions.