In a fiery TruthSocial post on Wednesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump branded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” and “comedian,” accusing him of prolonging the war in Ukraine to keep the “gravy train” of U.S. funding going. Trump’s comments sparked immediate backlash and heightened tensions as U.S.-Russia peace talks proceeded — notably without Ukraine’s participation.
In the post, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the war, demanding that Ukraine repay the $350 billion the U.S. has spent since the conflict escalated in 2022. Trump also slammed Zelenskyy for allegedly refusing to hold elections, warning, “Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.”
Trump’s Explosive Claims
“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion to go into a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start,” Trump wrote. “The United States has spent $200 billion more than Europe, and Europe’s money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back.”
He further criticized the Biden administration, adding, “Why didn’t Sleepy Joe Biden demand equalization? This war is far more important to Europe than it is to us — we have a big, beautiful ocean as separation.”
Trump’s post also highlighted ongoing U.S.-Russia peace talks, claiming, “We are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP’ and the Trump Administration can do.”
Zelenskyy Fires Back: ‘Trapped in a Disinformation Bubble’
In a swift response, President Zelenskyy pushed back against Trump’s claims during a press conference in Kyiv, accusing the former U.S. president of being “trapped in a disinformation bubble.”
“With all due respect to President Donald Trump as a leader, he is living in this disinformation space,” Zelenskyy said, dismissing Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine had started the war. “I am seeing a lot of disinformation from Russia.”
Zelenskyy also criticized Trump’s decision to hold talks with Russia without Ukrainian representation, stating, “I can’t sell away Ukraine. I can’t sell our state.”
Addressing rumors that his approval ratings had plummeted to 4%, Zelenskyy labeled the claim as Russian disinformation, asserting that his actual approval remains around 50%.
International Reactions and Rising Concerns
Trump’s post has raised alarm among Western allies, who fear his rhetoric could undermine Ukraine’s position in ongoing peace talks and embolden Russia. Analysts argue that Trump’s statements echo Kremlin talking points, stoking concerns that his approach could shift U.S. foreign policy away from supporting Ukraine.
Critics also pointed to Trump’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first since his 2024 election bid, as further evidence of warming ties between Trump and Moscow.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has not officially responded to Trump’s remarks but has reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine amid the conflict.
A Fractured Front in the Face of War
As the conflict in Ukraine nears its third year, the U.S.’s shifting role in peace talks and Trump’s divisive comments highlight growing fractures in the Western alliance. The exclusion of Ukraine from current U.S.-Russia negotiations has fueled anger in Kyiv, where officials argue that any peace deal without Ukraine’s input would be illegitimate.
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