Trump’s Criticism of Zelensky Deepens the Tension Between Two Leaders
President Trump has intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labelling him a “dictator” and deepening the diplomatic rift between the two leaders. These remarks follow Zelensky’s comments about US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia where Kyiv was excluded, suggesting that the US president resides in a space influenced by Moscow.
At an investment conference held under Saudi patronage in Florida, Trump expressed his disdain for Zelensky, stating bluntly that he was “only good at playing Joe Biden like a fiddle.” The term ‘dictator’ drew immediate backlash from European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphatically criticized the use of such language, asserting that it was wrong and dangerous to deny Zelensky his democratic legitimacy.
The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed strong support for Zelensky in a phone call with him. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Sir Keir had reaffirmed his backing for the Ukrainian president as “a democratically elected leader,” and further clarified that suspending elections during wartime was reasonable, citing the example of World War Two when Britain did so.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also condemned Trumps use of the word ‘dictator.’ “If you look at reality instead of just tweeting, then you know who lives under dictatorship in Europe: people in Russia and Belarus,” noted Baerbock during an interview with broadcaster ZDF.
Trump’s comments align closely with a post he had made on Truth Social hours earlier. In that post, Trump labeled Zelensky as “having done a terrible job” while emphasizing the devastation of Ukraines cities and asserting that millions have died unnecessarily due to his leadership. He also downplayed the gravity of the conflict by suggesting successful negotiations were underway with Russia.
While defending their actions during World War Two, European leaders maintained a united stance against Trump’s rhetoric. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraines former prime minister, echoed support for Zelensky and criticized Moscows jubilation over his comments: “Volodymyr Zelensky is a completely legitimate president.” He also defended the suspension of elections under martial law.
The escalation in tensions comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares to meet with Trump. Meanwhile, EU sanctions against Russia have been tightened. These new measures target Russian aluminium and numerous vessels suspected of illegal oil transport, further disconnecting Russian banks from global financial systems and banning additional media outlets from broadcasting within Europe.
