In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, President Donald Trump has labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a ‘dictator without elections,’ and warned Ukraine’s president that he ‘better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.’
Adding insult to injury, Trump added: “You should have never started it,” Mr. Trump said referring to Ukraine’s leaders. “You could have made a deal.”
This comment comes as the Trump administration collaborates with Russia on a peace plan that has raised concerns among European allies and Ukrainian officials.
The strained relations between the U.S. and Ukraine were further highlighted when Zelenskyy accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation, suggesting that the proposed peace terms unduly favor Moscow. In response, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for prolonging the conflict, implying financial motivations tied to U.S. support. He stated, ‘We protect them and then they screw us on trade. We are not going to let it happen anymore.’
Former Biden NSC spokesman Sean Savett posted on X, ‘Sounds like Trump bought Putin’s propaganda hook, line, and sinker. A reminder no one should need: Putin started the war by invading Ukraine unprovoked and his forces have committed war crimes against the Ukrainian people. Russia is the party responsible for this war continuing.’
Central to the controversy is the Trump administration’s approach to peace negotiations. Recent discussions have seen U.S. and Russian officials meeting in Saudi Arabia, notably without Ukrainian representation. This exclusion has alarmed European leaders, who emphasize the necessity of including Ukraine in any meaningful peace process. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock remarked, “No lasting peace in Ukraine without European role in talks.
Despite assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Ukraine and Europe will be part of ‘real negotiations’, the current trajectory of U.S.-Russia talks has sown distrust among NATO allies. The European Union has cautioned against any agreements that might compromise Ukraine’s sovereignty or security. Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy, have been vocal about the dangers of making decisions about Ukraine without its involvement, with Zelenskyy stating, ‘Don’t make any decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine.’
The geopolitical landscape remains complex, with the Trump administration’s strategies prompting debates over the future of international alliances and the principles guiding conflict resolution. As negotiations progress, the global community watches closely, aware of the profound implications these decisions hold for regional stability and the broader international order.