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Trump Calls Zelenskyy a 'Dictator' Amid Rising Tensions Over War
President Donald Trump sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, calling him a “dictator without elections” after Zelenskyy accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation. The exchange marks a new peak in tensions between the two leaders over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and its resolution.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform, dismissed Zelenskyy as a “modestly successful comedian” who persuaded the U.S. to spend $350 billion on a war that, according to Trump, was unwinnable and unnecessary. He also claimed that Zelenskyy would never be able to end the war without the help of the U.S. and his administration.
In the same post, Trump accused Zelenskyy of acting as a dictator, pointing out that Ukraine had postponed its elections, originally scheduled for April 2024, due to the ongoing Russian invasion. This comment followed earlier accusations from Zelenskyy, who had said that Trump was living in a “Russian-made disinformation space” and misusing American aid for Ukraine’s war effort.
The confrontation intensified after senior U.S. and Russian officials met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, agreeing to negotiate a settlement for ending the war. However, neither Ukrainian nor European officials were part of the talks, despite Zelenskyy’s insistence that Ukraine must be involved in any negotiations.
Trump, who has consistently campaigned on a pledge to quickly end the war, reiterated his stance that Zelenskyy should have negotiated a peace deal sooner. He warned that if Zelenskyy does not act quickly, Ukraine may lose its sovereignty.
"Zelenskyy better move fast, or he’s not going to have a country left," Trump declared, adding, "In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something only 'Trump' and his administration can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the 'gravy train' going."
The heated exchange underscores the deepening divide between Trump and Zelenskyy over the handling of the conflict and the future of Ukraine’s relations with the U.S. and Russia.