Zelensky Responds To Trump’s Criticism Amid US-Russia Talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed criticism from former US President Donald Trump, stating that his American counterpart is “living in a disinformation space” created by Russia.
Trump had suggested that Ukraine was to blame for the ongoing war and claimed that Zelensky’s approval rating was as low as 4%. His remarks followed US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was notably excluded.
After the meeting in Riyadh, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the discussions and indicated that Trump had assured him Ukraine would be included in any future negotiations. Zelensky acknowledged that the US had the right to engage in bilateral discussions but warned that these talks had allowed Putin to break free from years of diplomatic isolation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lauded Trump’s willingness to entertain Moscow’s long-standing argument that NATO’s expansion was a root cause of the conflict. Meanwhile, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv to assess Ukraine’s position, though he was not part of the delegation in Riyadh.
As global reactions poured in, European nations scrambled to address the situation. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted informal discussions on Ukraine with leaders from several European states and Canada. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock firmly rejected Trump’s assertion, stating, “No-one but Putin started or wanted this war in the heart of Europe.”
In a press briefing, Zelensky accused Russia of spreading misinformation and refuted claims about his popularity, citing an opinion poll placing his approval rating at 58%. He invited Kellogg to walk the streets of Kyiv to witness the reality on the ground.
Furthermore, Zelensky dismissed any suggestion that Ukraine would trade its sovereignty for security guarantees, stating that the cost of the war had reached $320 billion (£254 billion), with $200 billion (£159 billion) provided by the US and EU. While he expressed gratitude for American support, he disputed claims that 90% of Ukraine’s aid came solely from the US.
In a post on X, he reiterated his stance: “Russia is ruled by pathological liars – they cannot be trusted and must be pressured.”
Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence, appeared unfazed by the backlash, suggesting that Ukraine had missed its opportunity to negotiate peace earlier. European leaders, however, have intensified their support for Ukraine, with some NATO states considering the deployment of peacekeepers, a proposal that Russia has outright rejected.
As diplomatic manoeuvres continue, the divide between Western allies and Russia deepens, leaving Ukraine at the centre of a geopolitical struggle with no immediate resolution in sight.
