Trump calls Zelenskyy a ‘Dictator’, faces backlash from European leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump recently stirred controversy by calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator." 

This comment has sparked strong reactions from European leaders and added fuel to the already heated debate between Trump and Zelenskyy.

The tension began when Zelenskyy suggested that Trump was being misled by false information provided by Russia. 

In response, Trump launched a fierce verbal attack on Zelenskyy, intensifying their dispute. 

The fallout from Trump‍‍`s remarks has been swift, with leaders from Germany, the UK, and other parts of Europe openly criticizing his statements.

In the midst of these developments, U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg is scheduled to visit Kyiv on Thursday to meet with Zelenskyy directly. 

On Wednesday, Kellogg held meetings with Ukraine’s military chief and several other key officials, further highlighting the international attention this situation is attracting.

Trump’s Remarks on Zelenskyy

During an event in Florida, Trump labeled Zelenskyy as a dictator, remarking, "The only thing Zelenskyy is good at is matching Joe Biden’s tone." He didn’t stop there. 

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump continued to lash out at the Ukrainian president, accusing him of suppressing elections in his country.

"Zelenskyy is not allowing elections. His popularity in Ukraine is dropping. How could his approval ratings be high when every city in his country is being destroyed?" Trump wrote.

He also brought up a contentious issue regarding Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, alleging that Zelenskyy was preventing their export.

"Zelenskyy is breaking this deal," Trump claimed, adding to his list of accusations.

In a final jab, Trump said, "Zelenskyy has done terrible things. His country is in ruins, millions of people are dying. The U.S. has managed to start talks with Russia to bring an end to this war."

According to the White House, Trump‍‍`s statements were in response to Zelenskyy‍‍`s earlier comments about misinformation and Russia.

Zelenskyy’s Response

Despite the sharp criticism, Zelenskyy stood firm, saying, "The world has one choice: either stand with Putin or stand with peace." 

He made it clear where he believes the global community should align.

Earlier, Zelenskyy had remarked, "We are seeing Russia spread false information repeatedly. With all due respect to Donald Trump as a leader, I believe he is living in that world of misinformation."

Zelenskyy also pointed out that Russia had faced international isolation for years, but the U.S. has now seemingly helped them out of that corner.

European Leaders Stand with Zelenskyy

Trump’s comments did not sit well with many European leaders. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was quick to respond, stating, "It is wrong and dangerous to deny the democratic legitimacy of President Zelenskyy."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer made a personal call to Zelenskyy, reassuring him of his support. 

A Downing Street spokesperson later explained that Starmer backed Ukraine’s democratically elected president and added that canceling elections during wartime is a reasonable step, referencing the UK’s own decision to do the same during World War II.

Zelenskyy’s five-year term officially ended in May 2024, but martial law due to the ongoing war has prevented the country from holding elections.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned Trump’s remarks, and Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock described Trump’s comments as "unrealistic."

Canada Voices Support for Ukraine

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also weighed in, standing firmly by Zelenskyy and Ukraine. 

"The people of Ukraine are not just fighting to defend their freedom and sovereignty, but also to ensure that the world remains safe and that the rule of law prevails," Trudeau said.

He further added, "Russian President Putin has unlawfully, immorally, and irrationally broken international law. This is unacceptable, and we will continue to support Ukraine."

Trump’s statements have undoubtedly triggered a wave of responses, with many Western leaders voicing their opposition to his portrayal of Zelenskyy. 

As the diplomatic drama unfolds, the world watches closely, especially as key meetings with Zelenskyy are expected in the coming days.