President Trump is working to restore peace. But not everyone is listening.
And the Ukraine-Russia war hits a boiling point after Trump issues a scathing rebuke of this Ukrainian leader.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky affirmed on Wednesday that the signals coming from U.S. Special Envoy to the Ukraine war, retired General Keith Kellogg, are in alignment with Ukraine’s strategic goals.
Zelensky’s remarks follow sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who this week blamed Ukraine for the ongoing conflict and labeled Zelensky a “dictator.”
High-Level Talks on Ukraine’s Security
Zelensky described his recent discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as “good and substantive,” emphasizing key security matters affecting Ukraine.
“I shared details of my meeting with President Erdoğan, where we discussed Türkiye’s role in providing security guarantees,” Zelensky said on X. “Ukraine needs broad representation from countries: Europe, including the UK and Türkiye, and the U.S., in this process.”
He noted that Rutte relayed details from his own meeting with Kellogg in Europe, reinforcing Ukraine’s stance on the war’s resolution.
“The key messages align with our goal of achieving guaranteed peace, not just a temporary ceasefire,” Zelensky stated. “There must be confidence that in a few months or years, Putin won’t return with his war.”
He further stressed the importance of clear agreements among Ukraine’s allies, adding, “We cannot allow Putin to deceive everyone again. Before any potential negotiations, all partners must clearly understand that strong security guarantees are the priority for lasting peace.”
Trump’s Criticism of Zelensky and U.S. Aid to Ukraine
Meanwhile, Trump launched a fresh round of criticism on social media, calling Zelensky a “dictator” who is unwilling to end the war because he “wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going.”
“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn’t be won, that never had to start,” Trump wrote. He further argued that without the U.S. and his own leadership, Zelensky “will never be able to settle” the war.
Trump also accused President Joe Biden of failing to demand financial “Equalization” from Europe, arguing that the war is a greater concern for European nations than for the U.S.
Zelensky’s Approval Ratings and Election Delays
In addition to questioning U.S. aid to Ukraine, Trump claimed that Zelensky “refuses to have Elections” and is “very low in Ukrainian Polls.” He went on to say that the Ukrainian leader had manipulated Biden and warned that without action, “he is not going to have a Country left.”
Zelensky was elected in 2019 with a commanding 73% of the vote against incumbent Petro Poroshenko. However, the next scheduled election, set for 2024, has been postponed indefinitely due to the imposition of martial law following Russia’s invasion. Under these conditions, certain democratic processes, including elections, remain suspended. According to the New York Post, Zelensky’s current approval rating stands just above 50%.
Trump Claims He Could Have Ended the War
Trump also reiterated his belief that he could have prevented or quickly resolved the conflict. During a press conference in Florida, he criticized Ukraine for expecting a seat at recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, remarking, “I hear they’re upset about not having a seat. Well, they’ve had a seat for three years.” He went on to argue that Ukraine “should’ve never started” the war and suggested they “could’ve made a deal.”
“I could’ve made a deal for Ukraine that would have given them almost all of the land, everything, almost all of the land, and no people would have been k*lled, and no city would have been demolished, and not one dome would have been knocked down,” Trump asserted. “But they chose not to do it that way.”
As the war continues with no clear resolution in sight, Zelensky remains focused on securing international support, while Trump positions himself as a leader who could have steered events differently.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
