U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, referring to him as a "dictator" and escalating tensions between the two leaders.

Trump's remarks followed Zelensky's response to U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was excluded. Zelensky had stated that Trump was "living in a disinformation space" influenced by Moscow.

Speaking at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, Trump claimed that Zelensky's primary political skill was "playing Joe Biden like a fiddle."

The characterization of Zelensky as a "dictator" drew swift condemnation from European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who stated that "it is simply wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky his democratic legitimacy."

Keir Starmer and European Leaders Defend Zelensky Amid Trump Criticism

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reaffirmed his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a phone call, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. Starmer "expressed his support for President Zelensky as Ukraine's democratically elected leader" and emphasized that suspending elections during wartime was "perfectly reasonable," citing the UK's own precedent during World War II.

Zelensky's five-year presidential term was set to end in May 2024; however, elections remain suspended under martial law, which has been in place since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

European Leaders Condemn Trump's "Dictator" Remarks

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Trump's characterization of Zelensky as a "dictator." Baerbock called the comments "absurd" and stated in an interview with ZDF, "If you look at the real world instead of just firing off a tweet, then you know who in Europe has to live in the conditions of a dictatorship: people in Russia, people in Belarus."

Trump's Remarks on Zelensky

During an event in Florida, former U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Zelensky as a "dictator," repeating a claim he had made earlier on his Truth Social platform. Trump criticized Zelensky for not holding elections and claimed he was "low in the real Ukrainian polls," questioning, "How can you be high with every city being demolished?"

Trump also accused Zelensky's government of "breaking the deal" regarding rare-earth minerals from Ukraine. In his Truth Social post, he stated that Zelensky "has done a terrible job, his country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died," while asserting that the U.S. was "successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia."

A White House official later stated that Trump's comments were a direct response to Zelensky's claim that Trump was "living in a disinformation space" influenced by Moscow.

U.S.-Russia Talks

On Tuesday, U.S. and Russian officials engaged in their first high-level, face-to-face negotiations since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The talks, held in Saudi Arabia, did not include representatives from Ukraine, prompting criticism from Zelensky.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk and Ukrainian Response

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk criticized Donald Trump's remarks, stating in an interview with the BBC that Russia was "popping champagne right now" in response. Yatsenyuk defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, affirming that he is a "completely legitimate president" and emphasizing that elections cannot be held under martial law.

Trump's Comments on Ukraine and the War

The controversy began on Tuesday when Trump, speaking at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, blamed Ukraine for the ongoing war. When asked by BBC News about his message to Ukrainians who might feel betrayed, Trump responded:

"I hear that they're upset about not having a seat, well, they've had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

Trump did not acknowledge that Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelensky’s Response and Diplomatic Efforts

On Wednesday, Zelensky addressed reporters in Kyiv, refuting Trump's claims and asserting that "a lot of disinformation" was being spread, particularly by Russia. He added, "With all due respect to President Donald Trump as a leader... he is living in this disinformation space."

Zelensky further suggested that the United States had contributed to Putin breaking out of years of international isolation. Later in the day, he declared that the world faced a choice: "to be with Putin or with peace." He also announced an upcoming meeting with Washington’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, scheduled for Thursday.

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