NAIROBI, Kenya- In yet another foreign policy shake-up, U.S. President Donald Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy a “dictator without elections” and warned that Ukraine could soon “have no country left.”
The remarks, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, mark a stark shift in Washington’s approach to Ukraine, as Trump inches closer to reestablishing direct diplomatic ties with Russia.
President Zelenskyy: “We’re seeing a lot of disinformation coming from Russia… & unfortunately President Trump… is living in this disinformation space.”
Zelenskiy wasted no time in firing back. “President Trump, unfortunately, lives in this disinformation space,” the Ukrainian leader said in a televised statement, dismissing Trump’s claim that his approval rating had sunk to 4pc as pure Russian propaganda.
A recent Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll, in fact, places Zelenskiy’s trust rating at 57pc.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made it clear that Kyiv would not bow to pressure. “We will defend our right to exist,” he said on X (formerly Twitter), reinforcing Ukraine’s stance against any forced negotiations.
❝Nobody can force Ukraine to give up. We will defend our right to exist❞ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responds after Donald Trump criticized Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a ‘dictator without elections’ v.aa.com.tr/3487159
Trump-Putin Talks on the Horizon?
Trump’s new stance has European leaders scrambling, especially as he hints at a possible meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks.
The Kremlin has welcomed the idea, but Putin cautioned that any talks need thorough preparation.
“It’s not enough to sit, have tea, and talk about the future,” he said, emphasizing the need for structured negotiations between Moscow and Washington.
What’s missing from these discussions? Ukraine. Tuesday’s U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia took place without any Ukrainian or European representatives, fueling concerns that a backroom deal could sideline Kyiv.
Despite the tensions, Putin claimed Ukraine was not being deliberately excluded. “There’s no need for a ‘hysterical’ reaction,” he said, dismissing fears of a unilateral peace settlement.
U.S. Aid, Minerals, and the Future of Ukraine
As Trump questions American support for Ukraine, Zelenskiy has floated a controversial proposal: allowing U.S. companies to extract valuable Ukrainian minerals in exchange for security guarantees.
However, he pushed back on speculation that the deal is already in motion.
Trump, parroting Kremlin talking points, calls Zelensky a “dictator” after the US president falsely accused Ukraine of starting a war against Russia. Follow live updates: cnn.it/3D74ph5
“America has given Ukraine $67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in budget support,” Zelenskiy said. “But demands for $500 billion in minerals? That’s not a serious conversation.”
Trump’s shift in Ukraine policy is also putting pressure on Europe. The European Union, caught off guard by Washington’s pivot, is scrambling to maintain military aid.
A proposed 16th round of sanctions against Russia targets aluminum exports and oil shipments, while new military assistance aims to provide 1.5 million rounds of artillery, air defense systems, and precision-strike missiles.
European officials fear they can no longer count on U.S. military protection under Trump.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson put it bluntly: “We need to keep a cool head and continue to support Ukraine.”
With Trump reversing years of U.S. foreign policy and hinting at a reset with Moscow, the future of American aid to Ukraine remains uncertain.
Will Trump broker a peace deal that undercuts Kyiv? Will Europe be forced to step up in America’s absence?
For now, Ukraine isn’t backing down. But as the war approaches its third anniversary, Ukraine’s fight isn’t just on the battlefield; it’s now a political war, too.
