President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, calling him a “dictator without elections.”
The remarks, made on Trump’s Truth Social account, come as U.S. officials engage in discussions with Russia over ending the ongoing war—talks that notably excluded Ukraine.
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump wrote. “In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring Peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going.”
Trump’s comments reflect his long-standing criticism of U.S. involvement in the Ukraine war. He is questioning the massive financial aid packages sent to Kyiv. He accused Zelenskyy of manipulating Washington into pouring billions into the war effort while failing to secure a lasting peace.
“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, but a War that he, without the U.S. and ‘TRUMP,’ will never be able to settle,” Trump stated. “The United States has spent $200 Billion Dollars more than Europe, and Europe’s money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back.”
Trump also took aim at the lack of elections in Ukraine, pointing out that Zelenskyy has remained in power beyond his original term, which was set to end last May.
Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections under martial law, but Trump suggested that delaying elections only benefits Zelenskyy while leaving Ukraine in political limbo.
“Zelenskyy admits that half of the money we sent him is ‘MISSING.’ He refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden ‘like a fiddle,’” Trump wrote.
The meetings in Riyadh mark a significant shift in diplomatic efforts to end the war, with discussions reportedly focusing on a three-stage plan: an initial ceasefire, Ukrainian elections, and a final peace agreement.
Russia has insisted that Ukraine must hold elections before any deal can be reached, aligning with Trump’s stance that the Ukrainian people should decide their leadership.
After the meeting in Riyadh, Zelenskyy accused Trump of falling for Russian propaganda. “Unfortunately, President Trump… lives in this disinformation space,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv. He expressed frustration that Ukraine was left out of the recent peace talks.
Trump’s allies, including Vice President JD Vance, argued that Zelenskyy is making a mistake by publicly challenging the former president. “The idea that Zelenskyy is going to change the president’s mind by badmouthing him in public media, everyone who knows the President will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,” Vance told the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy, retired General Keith Kellog, traveled to Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian officials. “We understand the need for security guarantees,” Kellog stated. “It’s very clear to us the importance of the sovereignty of this nation and the independence of this nation as well… Part of my mission is to sit and listen.”
Trump has positioned himself as the only leader capable of negotiating an end to the war, contrasting his approach with what he calls Biden’s failure to pursue peace. “President Trump wants to stop the killing; the United States wants peace and is using its strength in the world to bring countries together,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Will Zelenskyy heed Trump’s warning, or will Ukraine’s future hang in the balance?