US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator without elections.” In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized Zelensky for remaining in power despite the absence of new elections. He called for a swift vote, warning that Ukraine’s statehood is at risk otherwise.
Trump argued that Zelensky had convinced the United States to invest in a war that is not winnable without US support and that the US has spent more than 200 billion dollars more than Europe, despite the latter’s promise of repayment, while the US receives no reimbursement.
Trump also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict, questioning why the US did not secure a fairer distribution of the burden between the US and Europe.
The US, Trump noted, is shielded by a “big, beautiful ocean” while Ukraine is of greater strategic importance to Europe. He pointed to Zelensky’s own statements, in which the Ukrainian president claimed that a significant portion of US aid “disappeared” and that he refuses to hold new elections, despite performing poorly in polls.
Trump concluded that the only thing Zelensky has achieved is “playing Biden like a fiddle.”
In a separate point, Trump reiterated his claim that only he and his administration can end the war between Russia and Ukraine and that no one else has attempted to do so, including the European Union.
While emphasizing his support for Ukraine, Trump drew a dismal picture of Zelensky’s presidency, stating that the country is in ruins, millions have died in vain and suffering continues.
The implicit message is that a return of Trump to the White House could bring a swift end to the conflict. Trump’s statements are likely to cause irritation not only in Kiev, but also in Europe and a shift in Western support for Ukraine is not ruled out if Trump continues his confrontational approach.