After branding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator," Trump faces condemnation from European allies, while Kyiv warns that his rhetoric plays into Putin’s hands.
COMBO) This combination of pictures shows (from L) US President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
JOHN THYS, Jim WATSON, Alexander NEMENOV / AFP
Even inside Russia, citizens disagree with Vladimir Putin’s war, holding up images of Putin as a clown and Zelensky as a superhero in a bold show of defiance in a 2023 demonstration against the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Rodrigo ARANGUA / AFP
Washington, D.C. / Kyiv, Ukraine – Former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a "dictator without elections", in a move that has drawn sharp criticism from European leaders and further strained U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Trump’s remarks, made in a fiery Truth Social post and a subsequent Mar-a-Lago press conference, accused Zelensky of refusing to hold elections, having low approval ratings, and being ineffective in leading Ukraine’s war effort against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Zelensky, responding from Kyiv, dismissed Trump’s claims as Russian disinformation, asserting that Ukraine remains a democracy and elections are legally suspended under martial law, just as the U.K. did during World War II. He also accused Trump of enabling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to end his international isolation.
Trump’s comments immediately triggered a wave of condemnation from European leaders, who rejected his characterization of Zelensky.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the statement "wrong and dangerous," reaffirming that Zelensky is Ukraine’s democratically elected leader.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson dismissed the "dictator" label as "incorrect", emphasizing that Ukraine would hold elections if not at war.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Trump was engaging in "absurd" comparisons, noting that Russia and Belarus—not Ukraine—are the real dictatorships in Europe.
French President Emmanuel Macron, after convening an emergency European leaders' meeting, warned that Trump’s shift in U.S. policy posed an "existential threat" to Europe’s security.
Even within the United States, moderate Republicans distanced themselves from Trump’s comments. Congressman Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) rejected Trump’s "doublethink", stating that Putin, not Zelensky, started the war and committed war crimes. Former Vice President Mike Pence also publicly rebuked Trump, writing, "Ukraine did not start this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion."
While Trump’s attacks on Zelensky sparked international outrage, Russia reacted with satisfaction.
Putin praised Trump’s diplomatic overtures, saying that "progress is being made" after direct U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which excluded Ukraine.
The Kremlin celebrated Trump’s remarks, with a Russian official telling state media that "Trump understands the real situation".
Putin also falsely claimed Russian troops had advanced into Ukraine’s Sumy region, an assertion swiftly denied by Kyiv.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced new sanctions against Russia, targeting Russian aluminum exports, illegal oil transport, and state-run media outlets.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally called Zelensky to express his support, denouncing Trump’s rhetoric and emphasizing that suspending elections during wartime is justified.
"It is perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during wartime, as the UK did during World War II," Starmer stated.
Ahead of a Paris summit of European leaders, Starmer also urged the UK and Europe to 'step up' in their support for Ukraine, hinting that Britain could even consider sending troops if needed to ensure European security.
Despite the political firestorm, Zelensky remains steadfast, preparing to meet U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv for discussions on the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
"It is a choice for everyone in the world – and for the powerful – to be with Putin or with peace," Zelensky stated, making it clear that Ukraine would not back down from defending its sovereignty.
As Trump continues to shift U.S. policy toward direct negotiations with Moscow, European leaders are preparing to fill the void, doubling down on military support for Ukraine to ensure that Zelensky’s fight for democracy does not become another casualty of political maneuvering in Washington.
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