US President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, referring to him as a “dictator without elections” in a social media post on Wednesday.
The remarks come one day after U.S. officials met with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia for the first formal US-Russia talks since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine was not included in the discussions, making Zelensky frustrated. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he questioned why his country was excluded from talks directly impacting its future.
Trump criticizes Zelensky and U.S. support for Ukraine
In his post on Truth Social, Trump claimed Zelensky had mismanaged the war and questioned continued US aid to Ukraine.
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left. In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do,” Trump wrote.
He accused President Joe Biden and European nations of failing to bring peace and suggested Zelensky benefitted from ongoing U.S. financial support.
pic.twitter.com/PMcrOwXejI
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2025
“I love Ukraine, but Zelensky has done a terrible job, his Country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died,” Trump wrote.
Zelensky, a former comedian and actor, was elected in 2019 with about 74% of the vote. Since Russia’s invasion, he has drawn international praise for remaining in Ukraine and rallying global support.
Ukraine’s election delay and Trump’s claims
Trump has repeatedly criticized Ukraine’s decision to postpone its presidential election, arguing that the country should still hold a vote. Ukraine was scheduled to elect a new president in early 2024, marking the end of Zelensky’s first term.
However, the country’s constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which was declared on Feb. 24, 2022, the day of Russia’s invasion.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇺🇦 US President Trump calls for Ukraine to hold new elections.
“That’s not a Russia thing. That’s something coming from me.” pic.twitter.com/pwR52uxJJn
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) February 18, 2025
Russian officials have used the election delay to question Zelensky’s legitimacy, a claim Ukrainian leaders reject as misinformation.
Trump also claimed that Zelensky’s approval rating had dropped to 4%, though there is no independent verification of this figure.
Rare Earths and US Aid Debate
Trump has proposed that Ukraine provide the US with rare-earth minerals in exchange for military and financial assistance. He argued that American taxpayers should receive something in return for the billions sent to Ukraine.
Trump suggests the U.S. will continue to send “secured” aid to Ukraine in exchange for rare earth. “If we didn’t do that, then Putin would say he won. We’re the thing that’s holding it back. We’ll go as long as we have to go.” pic.twitter.com/dmXzWR35pP
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) February 16, 2025
Reports indicate that Zelensky initially expressed interest in the deal but later opposed Trump’s proposal that the US receive a 50% stake in Ukraine’s rare-earth deposits.
“I didn’t let the ministers sign a relevant agreement because in my view it is not ready to protect us, our interest,” Zelensky said in Munich.
Trump’s outreach to Russia
Trump has signaled his willingness to negotiate with Russia directly. On Feb. 12, he spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, later saying he would be open to visiting Russia or meeting with Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war.
His remarks come as debates over Ukraine’s leadership and US support continue to be a divisive issue in international politics. With the war continuing and no immediate resolution in sight, discussions over diplomacy, aid, and leadership remain central to the conflict’s future.