Trump Criticizes Zelenskyy Amid Ukraine-Russia Tensions
WASHINGTON/KYIV: The relationship between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump took a sharp downturn on Wednesday after Trump labeled Zelenskyy “a dictator without elections” and urged him to act quickly to secure peace, warning that Ukraine could lose its sovereignty.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Zelenskyy dismissed claims that Ukraine was responsible for provoking Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The Ukrainian leader argued that Trump was falling prey to Russian misinformation.
“A dictator without elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a country left,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. In response, Zelenskyy, who met with Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv the same day, urged Trump’s team to seek accurate information about Ukraine. His statement followed Trump’s controversial claim that Ukraine “should never have started” the conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy also refuted Trump’s assertion that his approval rating was as low as 4%, calling it a product of Russian disinformation. “We have evidence that these figures are being discussed between America and Russia. That is, President Trump … unfortunately lives in this disinformation space,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainian television.
A February poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelenskyy, contradicting Trump’s claim.
Trump’s presidency has already brought significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy, including a departure from the previous administration’s approach to Russia and Ukraine. Within weeks of taking office, he ended efforts to isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, engaging in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials.
Trump has hinted at a possible meeting with Putin this month. While the Kremlin suggested such a meeting would require more time to organize, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund indicated that some U.S. businesses might resume operations in Russia as early as the second quarter.
The exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy underscores a stark contrast in leadership dynamics between the two countries. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine militarily and diplomatically against Russian aggression. However, the Trump administration appears to be shifting priorities by seeking direct engagement with Russia and advocating for a negotiated settlement to the war. High-level discussions between U.S. and Russian officials on Tuesday focused on improving bilateral relations, exploring a potential ceasefire, and preparing for a possible Trump-Putin summit after years of strained ties.
