Trump calls Zelenskiy a ‘dictator,’ warns Ukraine could be lost without swift action

WASHINGTON/KYIV. U.S. President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, labeling him a “dictator” and cautioning that he must act quickly to secure peace or risk losing Ukraine entirely. The remarks, coming a day after Trump controversially blamed Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion, have alarmed European allies concerned that Trump’s approach may favor Moscow.

Less than a month into his presidency, Trump has significantly shifted U.S. policy on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. His administration has halted efforts to isolate Russia, initiating direct talks between senior U.S. and Russian officials, sidelining Kyiv. Trump also held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reinforcing speculation about his stance on the war.

“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump wrote on social media, using an alternate spelling of Zelenskyy’s name.

Ukraine Responds: ‘We Will Defend Our Right to Exist’

In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha firmly rejected Trump’s characterization.

“We will defend our right to exist,” Sybiha stated on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming Ukraine’s resistance to external pressure.

Zelenskiy’s five-year presidential term was scheduled to end in 2024. Still, elections have been postponed due to martial law, which has been in effect since February 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Trump’s criticism followed Zelenskiy’s earlier comments, in which the Ukrainian leader accused him of echoing Russian disinformation. Trump previously asserted that Ukraine “should never have started” the war, a statement widely disputed by Kyiv and Western governments.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the controversy, warning Zelenskiy against publicly challenging Trump.

“The idea that Zelenskiy is going to change the president’s mind by badmouthing him in public media … everyone who knows the president will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,” Vance said in remarks reported by the Daily Mail.

International Reactions: U.S. Allies Push Back

Trump’s statements have drawn criticism from Western officials. U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric clarified that Zelenskiy remains Ukraine’s legitimate leader, stating, “Zelenskiy sits in office after duly-held elections.” When asked about the origins of the war, Dujarric reaffirmed that Russia invaded Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “false and dangerous,” according to Spiegel.

A few Republican lawmakers have also expressed disagreement with Trump’s characterization of Zelenskiy. However, they have largely refrained from directly criticizing the president. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a longtime supporter of Ukraine, suggested Trump needed “space” to negotiate a peace deal.

Europe Scrambles Amidst Policy Shift

European leaders have been caught off guard by the Trump administration’s recent moves on Ukraine. In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an emergency meeting of European leaders to discuss support for Ukraine and ways to strengthen Europe’s defense. However, no significant new measures were agreed upon.

Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are set to visit Washington next week for discussions with the White House, as part of diplomatic efforts to navigate Trump’s evolving stance on the war.

Following Trump’s latest comments, Zelenskiy held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Macron, and Starmer regarding security guarantees and the path to a potential peace settlement. Starmer’s office issued a statement affirming support for Zelenskiy as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader, adding that suspending elections during wartime is “perfectly reasonable.”

Meanwhile, the European Union on Wednesday approved its 16th round of sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum exports and ships suspected of carrying sanctioned Russian oil.

Trump-Putin Summit in the Works?

Trump has hinted at a possible meeting with Putin later this month. In Moscow, Putin signaled openness to negotiations but stressed that trust between Washington and Moscow must improve.

“We need to ensure that our teams prepare issues that are extremely important for both the United States and Russia, including—but not only—on the Ukrainian track, to reach solutions acceptable to both sides,” Putin stated in a televised address.

Ukraine and European leaders were notably excluded from recent U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, further fueling concerns that Washington and Moscow might broker a deal that overlooks Ukraine’s security interests.

Zelenskiy, in a video address, emphasized Ukraine’s reliance on Western unity, stating, “We are counting on the unity of Europe and the pragmatism of America.”

Trump, however, maintains that Europe should take a greater role in securing any ceasefire. While Zelenskiy has proposed granting U.S. companies access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees, Trump has yet to endorse the offer.