Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Zelensky, Calls Ukrainian President a ‘Dictator’
Former U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” and falsely claiming his approval rating was just 4%. The remarks, made at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, have sparked backlash from European leaders and further strained U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Trump’s Accusations and European Response
Trump’s comments came in response to Zelensky’s criticism of U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was excluded. In a statement, Zelensky accused Trump of operating in a “disinformation space” shaped by Moscow.
Speaking at the event, Trump claimed, “The only thing Zelensky was really good at was playing Joe Biden like a fiddle.” He also accused the Ukrainian president of refusing to hold elections and alleged corruption in Ukraine’s rare-earth mineral industry.
European leaders quickly condemned Trump’s remarks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed the “dictator” label as “simply wrong and dangerous.” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed his support for Zelensky in a phone call, noting that suspending elections during wartime is not unusual, as the UK did during World War II. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also criticized Trump’s rhetoric, with Baerbock calling the comments “absurd.”
Trump Falsely Claims Zelensky Has a 4% Approval Rating
Trump also sought to undermine Zelensky’s credibility by claiming his approval rating had dropped to 4%, a statement that has been widely debunked. Recent polling indicates that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky’s leadership despite the ongoing war.
Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk responded to Trump’s comments by saying, “Russia is popping champagne right now. Volodymyr Zelensky is a completely legitimate president, and elections cannot be held under martial law.”
Trump Blames Ukraine for the War
At a separate event in Florida, Trump also blamed Ukraine for the war, saying, “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.” His remarks ignored the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelensky, responding in Kyiv, reiterated that “the world faces a choice—to be with Putin or with peace.” He also accused Trump of helping Putin break out of international isolation.
Geopolitical Ramifications
Trump’s comments come as the EU prepares new sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum exports, suspected oil-smuggling vessels, and Russian media. Meanwhile, Putin told reporters he would be willing to meet with Trump “with pleasure.”
As the war in Ukraine continues, Trump’s rhetoric has fueled concerns about the future of U.S. support for Kyiv should he return to the White House. The fallout from his remarks is expected to further complicate relations between the U.S., Ukraine, and European allies.
