Trump’s attack on Zelensky sparks global backlash as European leaders rally behind Ukraine
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
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.
European Leaders Condemn Trump’s Remarks
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."
Trump’s Rhetoric Emboldens Russia
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.
