U.S. President Donald Trump has taken another shot at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, calling him a “dictator without elections” and warning that Ukraine’s survival depends on swift peace.
Trump’s statement, posted on his Truth Social platform, came after Zelenskiy rejected his claim that Ukraine was responsible for provoking Russia’s 2022 invasion. The Ukrainian leader accused Trump of being misled by Russian misinformation.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha swiftly responded on X, reaffirming the country’s determination to fight for its survival. He dismissed any notion of surrender and emphasized Ukraine’s ongoing battle against Russian aggression.
While Zelenskiy’s term was due to end in 2024, Ukraine suspended elections due to martial law imposed after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Currently, Russia occupies around 20% of Ukraine and continues to push further into eastern territories. Moscow claims its military actions were necessary to counter Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, which it views as a security threat. However, Kyiv and its Western allies maintain that Russia’s motives are purely territorial expansion.
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During a meeting with Trump’s Ukraine representative, Keith Kellogg, Zelenskiy expressed hope that Trump’s team would gain a clearer understanding of Ukraine’s reality.
He also dismissed Trump’s claim that only 4% of Ukrainians support him, citing a recent Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll showing 57% public trust.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine and Russia has significantly shifted since his return to the political scene. He has ended previous efforts to isolate Russia, engaging in direct discussions with Vladimir Putin. Senior officials from both nations have also resumed diplomatic meetings.
Putin has indicated that Ukraine won’t be excluded from peace talks but stressed that meaningful negotiations require greater trust between Washington and Moscow. He also expressed interest in a formal meeting with Trump, provided their teams prepare actionable solutions.
European leaders are increasingly uneasy about Trump’s evolving approach. Many worry that a potential U.S.-Russia deal could weaken Ukraine’s position and leave Europe more vulnerable to security threats.
