President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator” following Zelenskyy’s remarks accusing him of being influenced by Russian disinformation. The exchange has further strained relations between the two leaders as the U.S. administration explores diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s post on Truth Social, which contained multiple inaccuracies—including the assertion that Zelenskyy was not elected—coincided with high-level talks between U.S. and Russian officials on a possible resolution to the conflict. The dispute comes at a critical moment for Ukraine, which is facing difficulties securing continued Western support as Russian forces occupy approximately 20% of its territory.
In his post, Trump criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a “modestly successful comedian” who convinced the U.S. to send $350 billion in aid to Ukraine. He also claimed that without American assistance, Zelenskyy would be unable to reach a settlement with Russia. Trump suggested that Ukraine’s leader was clinging to power, writing, “A dictator without elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.”
The remarks sparked mixed reactions from Republican lawmakers. Vice President JD Vance labeled Zelenskyy’s criticism of Trump “disgraceful,” arguing that it would not influence the president’s policy decisions. Some GOP senators distanced themselves from Trump’s comments but refrained from outright condemnation. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she did not agree with Trump’s statement, while Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin, not Ukraine, initiated the war.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz defended Trump’s approach, stating that his administration was actively seeking a diplomatic resolution. Waltz also pointed to the resistance from some officials regarding U.S. investment in Ukrainian infrastructure and access to rare earth minerals as part of post-war negotiations.
Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s claims by reaffirming that Ukraine’s war effort relies heavily on American military aid and warning against diplomatic decisions made without Ukrainian input. He dismissed Trump’s assertion that his approval rating stood at 4%, citing a Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll showing that 57% of Ukrainians trust him.
Ordinary Ukrainians expressed unease over Trump’s remarks and his administration’s outreach to Moscow. “I don’t like Trump’s flirting with Putin,” said Fedir Logvynenko, a 49-year-old Kyiv resident. Another Ukrainian, real estate agent Yuliya Antonyuk, emphasized the necessity of U.S. support, stating, “We couldn’t cope without American weapons and aid.”
The dispute follows a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, where the two discussed potential pathways to end the war. The talks, which did not include Ukrainian representatives, have raised concerns among Kyiv officials and European allies.
Trump has framed his administration’s negotiations as an effort to bring a swift end to the war, asserting that Zelenskyy “probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going.” The Kremlin responded positively to the shift in U.S. foreign policy, with Lavrov praising Trump as the first Western leader to acknowledge that NATO expansion contributed to tensions in Ukraine.
As the U.S. redefines its approach to the war, the ongoing clash between Trump and Zelenskyy underscores the geopolitical stakes, with implications for both American foreign policy and Ukraine’s future.
