Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of mishandling the ongoing conflict with Russia. During a press conference at his Florida residence, Trump claimed that Zelensky had done a “terrible job” and suggested that he could have engaged in peace talks in Saudi Arabia to resolve the crisis.
Trump further escalated his remarks by labeling Zelensky a “dictator” in a social media post on his Truth Social platform. “A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast, or he is not going to have a country left,” Trump wrote.
Blame Game Over Russia-Ukraine War
Trump insisted that the war, which has lasted over three years, could have been avoided if Zelensky had taken the right steps earlier. “You’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it three years ago. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal,” he said.
Trump also claimed that Russia is willing to negotiate an end to the conflict, arguing that thousands of soldiers—both Russian and Ukrainian, as well as Korean fighters—are dying weekly in what he called a “senseless war.” He suggested that Zelensky had manipulated the U.S. into spending billions on an unwinnable conflict. “A modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States into spending $350 billion on a war that never had to start,” Trump alleged.
U.S. Assures Ukraine of Continued Support
While Zelensky has voiced concerns about being excluded from ongoing peace negotiations, U.S. officials have reassured Ukraine that it remains a crucial partner in diplomatic efforts. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that Ukraine would be involved in any resolution concerning its territorial sovereignty.
Senator Marco Rubio, quoted by the Associated Press, dismissed fears that Ukraine is being sidelined. “No one is being excluded here. There will be continued engagement and consultation with Ukraine, as well as with our European partners and others. But ultimately, Russia will also need to be part of this process,” Rubio stated.
As Trump continues to push for a resolution on terms that Kyiv deems overly favorable to Moscow, the debate over the U.S. role in the conflict intensifies, raising questions about future diplomatic efforts and military aid to Ukraine.
