Donald Trump Responds to ‘Terrible’ Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Labeling Him a ‘Dictator’ During US-Russia Discussions | World News
Donald Trump has warned Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he “better act quickly or he may not have a country left,” as the US and Russia engage in peace talks – notably without Ukraine’s participation.
This week, officials from both the White House and the Kremlin have commenced discussions in Saudi Arabia.
The decision to hold talks without representatives from Kyiv or Europe has raised alarms, leading to an emergency meeting of European leaders in France earlier this week.
Trump’s recent remarks—including his labeling of Mr. Zelenskyy as “a dictator without elections”—follow Zelenskyy’s accusations that Trump is operating within a Russian-influenced “disinformation space” due to his discussions with Kremlin officials.
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Trump living in ‘disinformation space’
Ukraine latest: Follow updates as Putin makes peace talks claim
In a post on his social media platform TruthSocial, the former president accused Mr Zelenskyy of convincing the United States to spend $350 billion on an unwinnable war that never needed to start.
“The only thing he excelled at was manipulating Biden,” he added.
Continuing his statement, Trump noted: “Zelenskyy better act quickly, or he risks losing his country.”
“Meanwhile, we are effectively negotiating an end to the war with Russia—something that everyone acknowledges only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, is capable of achieving.
“Biden has never attempted it, Europe has failed to secure peace, and Zelenskyy likely wishes to maintain the ‘gravy train’ of aid.”
“I care for Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has performed poorly; his nation is in ruins, and millions have died unnecessarily—this destruction continues,” he remarked.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Pic: Reuters
Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands have perished in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with millions of Ukrainians having fled as refugees.
Trump reiterated his claims regarding low approval ratings for the Ukrainian president, a notion dismissed by Zelenskyy as Russian propaganda, asserting that American aid had been misappropriated.
However, a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that 57% of Ukrainians trust their leader.
Ukraine’s general elections, set for April 2024, have been postponed due to Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
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Trump, Zelenskyy and Putin: Who said what?
Following Trump’s comments, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for pragmatism from the US.
In his nightly address, he stated, “We remain strong. I rely on Ukrainian unity, our bravery… along with Europe’s solidarity and America’s practicality.”
Additionally, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Trump’s label of Zelenskyy as a “dictator” as “false and dangerous,” according to German newspaper Spiegel.
“It is incorrect and perilous to dismiss President Zelenskyy’s democratic legitimacy,” continued Scholz.
Putin: ‘No one is excluding Ukraine from talks’
Trump’s recent remarks followed Vladimir Putin’s declaration that Kyiv could join the negotiations.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Russian president stated: “No one is excluding Ukraine from peace talks.”
“We are ready; I have reiterated this multiple times – if they wish, we are prepared to negotiate and return to discussions,” he remarked.
In reference to Zelenskyy’s 2022 decree rejecting negotiations with Russia, he added, “The Europeans have halted contacts with Russia. The Ukrainian side has prohibited itself from negotiations.”
Putin asserted that the main focus of Tuesday’s discussions in Saudi Arabia was the revival of Russia-US relations.
Zelenskyy is anticipated to meet with Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday.
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Russia launches assault on Odesa
In recent developments, Russian forces conducted a drone strike on Ukraine’s Black Sea port city of Odesa, injuring four individuals, including a child, as reported by Zelenskyy.
Additionally, approximately 160,000 residents were left without heating amid sub-zero temperatures, he noted.
Residents stand at the site of an Odesa clinic hit by the strike. Pic: Reuters
“Rescue operations are ongoing in Odesa following another Russian attack on the energy infrastructure,” Zelenskyy mentioned on the Telegram app.
“The Russian forces have targeted civilian energy facilities and have spared neither missiles nor drones for nearly three years.”
