Trump Calls Zelensky a ‘Dictator’ as Tensions Rise Over the Russia-Ukraine War
MIAMI — President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator without elections,” lashing out after the Ukrainian president said Trump was being influenced by Russian disinformation as he moves to end the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine on terms that Kyiv says are too favorable to Moscow.
“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, 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 said of Zelensky, who was popular television star in Ukraine before running for office.
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Trump added in his social media post that Zelensky is “A Dictator without Elections.”
Because of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has delayed elections that were scheduled for April 2024.
Zelensky accused Trump earlier Wednesday of living in a Russian-made “disinformation space.”
Read More: Trump Is Living In a Russian ‘Disinformation Space,’ Says Ukraine’s Zelensky
Trump used his post to accuse Zelensky of misusing American aid to Ukraine for the war effort and taking advantage of the Biden administration.
The sharp back-and-forth came after senior U.S. and Russian officials met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday and agreed to negotiate a settlement to an end to the war. Ukrainian and European officials were not included despite Zelensky’s insistence that they should be part of any such discussions.
But Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to quickly bring the war to a close, reaffirmed his position that Zelensky should have negotiated an end earlier.
“Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump said.
“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 Zelensky probably wants to keep the “gravy train” going.”
—Madhani reported from Washington.