U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator without elections” in a recent post on his Truth Social platform. Trump’s comments come as tensions over U.S. support for Ukraine continue to rise.
In a lengthy social media post, Trump alleged that Zelensky has refused to hold elections and is “very low in Ukrainian polls,” claiming his approval rating is around 4%, though polls indicate a figure closer to 57%. Trump further asserted that the Ukrainian leader was skilled only at “playing Biden like a fiddle” and suggested that Ukraine risks losing its sovereignty if Zelensky does not act quickly.
Trump also blamed Europe for failing to secure peace, insisting that he alone, along with his administration, could have ended the war. He accused Zelensky of wanting to “keep the gravy train going,” referencing the billions of dollars in aid sent to Ukraine. Additionally, he described Zelensky as a “moderately successful comedian” who convinced the U.S. to spend billions on a war he deemed unwinnable. According to Trump, Europe’s financial aid to Ukraine is guaranteed, whereas U.S. contributions will yield no returns.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed optimism about recent diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and Russia in Saudi Arabia. Putin described the talks as productive and suggested that Ukraine would eventually participate in negotiations. He emphasized the importance of resuming normal diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow, lamenting the continued expulsion of diplomats.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Zelensky rejected the allegations, asserting that they were rooted in “Russian disinformation.” He emphasized that Ukraine has not held elections since 2019 due to Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, making voting logistics impossible under wartime conditions. Zelensky expressed disappointment in Trump’s stance but acknowledged the ongoing efforts by U.S. officials, including Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, who is currently in Kyiv to discuss the situation.
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Trump’s comments have sparked mixed reactions within the U.S. While some Republican politicians remain loyal to Trump and have refrained from public criticism, Democrats have condemned his statements. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused Trump of “rewriting history” and misleading the American public.
As Trump calls for a reset in U.S.-Russia relations, concerns mount over what this could mean for Ukraine’s future. Analysts warn that any shift in U.S. policy under Trump’s leadership could come at a significant cost to Ukraine, potentially altering the dynamics of the ongoing war and Europe’s security landscape.
