US President Donald Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, labeling him a “dictator without elections” and urging him to act swiftly to secure peace, or risk losing Ukraine altogether, Reuters reported.
Trump’s comments came shortly after Zelenskiy rejected his claim that Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s 2022 invasion, accusing Trump of falling victim to Russian disinformation. Trump took to his Truth Social platform, writing, “Zelenskiy better move fast or he won’t have a country left.”
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asserted that Ukraine would not give in, emphasising the country’s determination to defend its sovereignty. “We will defend our right to exist,” he stated on social media.
Zelenskiy, whose term was set to end in 2024, cannot hold elections due to martial law imposed in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion. Russia has seized about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, continuing its push eastward.
Moscow claims its “special military operation” is a response to Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership, which it views as a threat. Ukraine and the West consider Russia’s actions an imperialistic land grab.
Zelenskiy, meeting Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Wednesday, refuted Trump’s statement that Ukraine should never have engaged in the conflict with Russia, calling it Russian disinformation.
He also rejected claims about his low approval rating, maintaining that such numbers were part of a disinformation campaign.
Polls show that Zelenskiy enjoys significant support among Ukrainians, with 57% of the population trusting him, according to the latest data from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
In the meantime, Trump has reshaped US policy on Ukraine and Russia. After a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump signalled a shift toward potential talks, which has raised concerns among European allies.
While Zelenskiy proposed involving US companies in mining Ukraine’s valuable resources, he criticised Trump’s stance and lack of concrete offers.
European officials, meanwhile, are increasingly worried about the future of US military support and the potential for a peace deal that could undermine Ukraine’s security and broader European stability.
