Tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated as Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator.
Tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated as Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator,” further straining their relationship. The remarks followed Zelensky’s criticism of the U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was excluded, accusing Trump of operating in a “disinformation space” influenced by Moscow. Speaking at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, Trump dismissed Zelensky’s leadership, claiming his only skill was “playing Joe Biden like a fiddle.”
The “dictator” comment drew swift condemnation from European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Zelensky’s democratic legitimacy, calling Trump’s accusation “wrong and dangerous.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed support for Zelensky in a phone call, with a Downing Street spokesperson emphasizing that suspending elections during wartime, as the UK did in World War Two, was “perfectly reasonable.” Zelensky’s five-year term, set to end in May 2024, has been extended due to martial law imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg on Thursday, stressing the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue and cooperation with the U.S. In a social media post, Zelensky highlighted the need for strengthened U.S.-European collaboration to ensure lasting peace.
Trump’s attacks continued during his Florida appearance, where he repeated the “dictator” label and criticized Zelensky for not holding elections, citing low approval ratings amid Ukraine’s devastation. He also accused Zelensky’s government of reneging on a deal involving rare-earth minerals. Trump’s remarks mirrored a Truth Social post in which he claimed Zelensky had “done a terrible job,” leading to a “shattered” country and “MILLIONS” of unnecessary deaths, while asserting that the U.S. was “successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia.”
A White House official linked Trump’s comments to Zelensky’s earlier “disinformation” critique. The exchange occurred as U.S. and Russian officials held their first high-level talks since Russia’s invasion, underscoring the deepening divide between Trump and Zelensky amid the ongoing conflict.