Scholz of Germany Reacts to Trump Calling Zelensky a ‘dictator’
The German chancellor has expressed disapproval of the US president's comments regarding the Ukrainian leader’s “democratic legitimacy.” Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has condemned US President Donald Trump for what he deemed “wrong and dangerous” comments regarding the legitimacy of Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky, whom Trump labeled as “a dictator.”
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when Trump took to his Truth Social platform, characterizing Zelensky as “a dictator without elections” and “a modestly successful comedian” who misled Washington into financing “a war that couldn’t be won.” He further criticized Zelensky’s leadership, asserting he was doing “a terrible job” and warned that Ukraine might cease to exist unless he reached a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Zelensky’s five-year presidential term is set to end in May 2024, but no new elections have been scheduled in Ukraine amid ongoing martial law. Last year, Zelensky stated that holding elections during the war and national mobilization was “not the right time.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly discredited Zelensky’s standing as a legitimate leader.
In an interview with Spiegel on Wednesday, Scholz emphasized that “it is simply wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky his democratic legitimacy.” He asserted, “What is correct is that Vladimir Zelensky is the elected head of state of Ukraine.”
Other Western European officials swiftly came to Zelensky’s defense, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock labeling Trump’s remarks as “absurd,” according to ZDF.
German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck echoed this sentiment, calling Trump’s statement “shocking.”
Trump’s comments followed Zelensky’s response to US-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, in which he stated that the former president was “living in a disinformation space” influenced by Moscow.
Trump had previously claimed that Zelensky’s approval rating was at 4% and suggested that an election should be conducted. “He refuses to have elections. He’s low in the real Ukrainian polls. How can you be high with every city being demolished?” Trump stated. Additionally, he noted that the US was “successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia.”
High-level talks between US and Russian officials took place in Riyadh on Tuesday, lasting 4.5 hours, as they discussed potential peace negotiations for Ukraine and the possibility of a summit between Trump and Putin. Criticism arose from Ukrainian and European representatives, who felt excluded from discussions that significantly affect regional security.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when Trump took to his Truth Social platform, characterizing Zelensky as “a dictator without elections” and “a modestly successful comedian” who misled Washington into financing “a war that couldn’t be won.” He further criticized Zelensky’s leadership, asserting he was doing “a terrible job” and warned that Ukraine might cease to exist unless he reached a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
Zelensky’s five-year presidential term is set to end in May 2024, but no new elections have been scheduled in Ukraine amid ongoing martial law. Last year, Zelensky stated that holding elections during the war and national mobilization was “not the right time.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly discredited Zelensky’s standing as a legitimate leader.
In an interview with Spiegel on Wednesday, Scholz emphasized that “it is simply wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky his democratic legitimacy.” He asserted, “What is correct is that Vladimir Zelensky is the elected head of state of Ukraine.”
Other Western European officials swiftly came to Zelensky’s defense, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock labeling Trump’s remarks as “absurd,” according to ZDF.
German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck echoed this sentiment, calling Trump’s statement “shocking.”
Trump’s comments followed Zelensky’s response to US-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, in which he stated that the former president was “living in a disinformation space” influenced by Moscow.
Trump had previously claimed that Zelensky’s approval rating was at 4% and suggested that an election should be conducted. “He refuses to have elections. He’s low in the real Ukrainian polls. How can you be high with every city being demolished?” Trump stated. Additionally, he noted that the US was “successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia.”
High-level talks between US and Russian officials took place in Riyadh on Tuesday, lasting 4.5 hours, as they discussed potential peace negotiations for Ukraine and the possibility of a summit between Trump and Putin. Criticism arose from Ukrainian and European representatives, who felt excluded from discussions that significantly affect regional security.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
