U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, labeling him a “dictator” on Wednesday. Trump warned that Zelenskiy needed to act quickly to secure peace or risk losing his country. This statement intensified the ongoing feud between the two leaders, raising alarms among European officials.
Trump’s attacks came a day after he suggested Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s 2022 invasion. His comments raised concerns among U.S. allies in Europe that his approach to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict could inadvertently benefit Moscow.
Trump wrote on social media, “A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” using an alternate spelling for the Ukrainian president’s name.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded, asserting that no one could force Ukraine to capitulate.
“We will defend our right to exist,” Sybiha stated on X.
Later, while addressing investors and executives in Miami, Trump reiterated his claims, again calling Zelenskiy a “dictator.” He suggested that the Ukrainian president wanted to prolong the war to “keep the gravy train going,” referring to U.S. military aid.
Zelenskiy’s five-year term was meant to conclude in 2024, but Ukraine cannot hold elections under martial law, which it imposed in February 2022 due to Russia’s invasion.
Trump’s remarks followed Zelenskiy’s assertion that Trump was echoing Russian disinformation when he claimed Ukraine “should never have started” the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance advised Zelenskiy against “badmouthing” Trump.
“Everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,” Vance said in his West Wing office, according to the Daily Mail.
Russia has taken control of about 20% of Ukraine and continues to gain territory in the east. Moscow claims its “special military operation” is a response to an existential threat posed by Kyiv’s pursuit of NATO membership, while Ukraine and the West view Russia’s actions as an imperialist land grab.
Zelenskiy countered Trump’s claim that his approval rating was merely 4%, calling it Russian disinformation. He asserted that any attempt to replace him would fail.
“We have evidence that these figures are being discussed between America and Russia. That is, President Trump … unfortunately lives in this disinformation space,” Zelenskiy told Ukrainian TV.
A recent poll from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelenskiy.
Following Trump’s comments, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that Zelenskiy “sits in office after duly-held elections.” When asked who started the war, Dujarric emphasized that Russia had invaded Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Trump’s labeling of Zelenskiy as a dictator, calling it “false and dangerous,” according to German newspaper Spiegel.
Australia, a U.S. security ally that has provided A$1.5 billion in support to Ukraine, also rejected Trump’s assertions about Ukraine.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles stated, “the war in Ukraine must be resolved on Ukraine’s terms, because the aggressor here is Russia.” Opposition leader Peter Dutton bluntly remarked, “I think President Trump has got it wrong.”
He added, “Australia should stand strong and proud with the people of Ukraine. It’s a democracy, and this is a fight for civilisation. Vladimir Putin is a murderous dictator, and we shouldn’t be giving him an inch.”
A few Republican members of Congress expressed disagreement with Trump’s characterization of Zelenskiy as a dictator and the notion that Ukraine bore responsibility for Russia’s invasion. However, they refrained from directly criticizing Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a long-time supporter of Ukraine, stated that Trump needed “space” to work on a peace deal.
EUROPE IN TURMOIL
Zelenskiy has proposed granting U.S. companies rights to extract valuable minerals in Ukraine in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.
He recently rejected a U.S. proposal that would have allowed Washington to receive 50% of Ukraine’s critical minerals, including lithium, crucial for electric car batteries. Zelenskiy told reporters on Wednesday that the deal was too focused on U.S. interests, stating, “I can’t sell our country.”
While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, Trump claimed that Ukraine had “more or less” agreed to the minerals proposal. He also complained that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was treated “rather rudely” during his visit to Kyiv. Trump indicated that he would seek to revive the minerals deal.
European officials have been left surprised and unprepared by the Trump administration’s recent moves regarding Ukraine.
During a hastily arranged meeting of European leaders in Paris, called by French President Emmanuel Macron, there were renewed calls for immediate action to support Ukraine and strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities, but few concrete decisions emerged.
Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plan to visit Washington next week, according to White House national security adviser Mike Waltz.
Following Trump’s latest remarks, Zelenskiy discussed peace settlement approaches with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Macron, and Starmer, emphasizing the importance of security guarantees.
Starmer’s office confirmed his support for Zelenskiy as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader.
Keith Kellogg, the U.S. envoy to Ukraine, traveled to Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with Zelenskiy. He acknowledged the “need for security guarantees,” adding that part of his mission would involve “to sit and listen.”
The 27-member European Union agreed on Wednesday to implement a 16th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum and vessels believed to be transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
Trump mentioned the possibility of meeting Putin this month. In Moscow, Putin stated that Ukraine would not be excluded from peace negotiations, but success would depend on building trust between Moscow and Washington.
Putin made these comments a day after Russia and the U.S. met in Riyadh for their first discussions on ending the conflict. He noted that it would take time to arrange a summit with Trump, which both leaders expressed interest in.
Ukraine and European governments were not invited to the talks in Saudi Arabia, heightening their concerns that Russia and the U.S. might strike a deal that overlooks their vital security interests.
Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine relied on “the unity of Europe and the pragmatism of America.” Trump asserted that Europe must take more responsibility to ensure any ceasefire deal.
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