Trump labels Zelensky a 'dictator without elections'
The Ukrainian leader has expressed strong criticism of the US for engaging in peace talks with Russia while leaving officials from Kiev out of the discussions. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian leader previously criticized the United States for engaging in peace negotiations with Russia while excluding officials from Kiev.
US President Donald Trump has referred to Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” accusing him of mishandling the conflict with Russia and misappropriating American financial support. Strained relations between Washington and Kiev have escalated following recent US-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump voiced discontent with Zelensky’s actions, asserting that the Ukrainian leader had “talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn't be won.” He further claimed that Zelensky “refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls.”
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump cautioned.
Trump’s criticisms came after US and Russian officials held high-level discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. The meeting, which lasted 4.5 hours, focused on future peace talks regarding Ukraine and a potential summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Notably, the talks did not include representatives from Ukraine or other European nations, prompting backlash from Kiev and its European supporters who voiced concerns about their interests being overlooked in crucial security negotiations.
In reaction to the US-Russia discussions, Zelensky addressed the press, expressing both surprise and concern regarding Kiev’s absence from the talks. He highlighted the necessity of Ukrainian involvement in any peace negotiations, asserting that decisions made without Ukraine could compromise the nation’s sovereignty and hamper the chances of lasting peace.
There has been an angry response from Ukrainian politicians and media regarding the talks in Saudi Arabia. The reactions ranged from claims that Trump is “capitulating” to Putin and “betraying” Ukraine, to critiques aimed at the EU for its involvement in the current situation.
European Union officials have conveyed their dissatisfaction with Washington’s unilateral approach to peace negotiations, especially upon discovering that the bloc would be excluded from the US-Russia discussions. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency meeting on Monday, which included leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, along with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte. The dialogue revolved around the potential deployment of EU troops to Ukraine and the commitment of European NATO members to bolster defense spending. However, sources indicated that no definitive actions were decided upon regarding either topic.
Speaking to reporters following the Riyadh talks, Trump urged Ukraine to hold elections, implying that Zelensky's leadership lacks legitimacy. Zelensky had previously canceled the presidential elections in Ukraine, invoking martial law due to the ongoing conflict.
Russia has also deemed Zelensky – whose term is set to expire in May 2024 – as “illegitimate,” recognizing the Ukrainian parliament and its speaker as the sole legitimate authority in the nation. Russian officials have cautioned that any international agreements signed by Zelensky could face challenges and expressed skepticism regarding his ability to secure lasting accords.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump has referred to Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” accusing him of mishandling the conflict with Russia and misappropriating American financial support. Strained relations between Washington and Kiev have escalated following recent US-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump voiced discontent with Zelensky’s actions, asserting that the Ukrainian leader had “talked the United States of America into spending $350 Billion Dollars, to go into a War that couldn't be won.” He further claimed that Zelensky “refuses to have Elections, is very low in Ukrainian Polls.”
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump cautioned.
Trump’s criticisms came after US and Russian officials held high-level discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. The meeting, which lasted 4.5 hours, focused on future peace talks regarding Ukraine and a potential summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Notably, the talks did not include representatives from Ukraine or other European nations, prompting backlash from Kiev and its European supporters who voiced concerns about their interests being overlooked in crucial security negotiations.
In reaction to the US-Russia discussions, Zelensky addressed the press, expressing both surprise and concern regarding Kiev’s absence from the talks. He highlighted the necessity of Ukrainian involvement in any peace negotiations, asserting that decisions made without Ukraine could compromise the nation’s sovereignty and hamper the chances of lasting peace.
There has been an angry response from Ukrainian politicians and media regarding the talks in Saudi Arabia. The reactions ranged from claims that Trump is “capitulating” to Putin and “betraying” Ukraine, to critiques aimed at the EU for its involvement in the current situation.
European Union officials have conveyed their dissatisfaction with Washington’s unilateral approach to peace negotiations, especially upon discovering that the bloc would be excluded from the US-Russia discussions. French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency meeting on Monday, which included leaders from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, along with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO chief Mark Rutte. The dialogue revolved around the potential deployment of EU troops to Ukraine and the commitment of European NATO members to bolster defense spending. However, sources indicated that no definitive actions were decided upon regarding either topic.
Speaking to reporters following the Riyadh talks, Trump urged Ukraine to hold elections, implying that Zelensky's leadership lacks legitimacy. Zelensky had previously canceled the presidential elections in Ukraine, invoking martial law due to the ongoing conflict.
Russia has also deemed Zelensky – whose term is set to expire in May 2024 – as “illegitimate,” recognizing the Ukrainian parliament and its speaker as the sole legitimate authority in the nation. Russian officials have cautioned that any international agreements signed by Zelensky could face challenges and expressed skepticism regarding his ability to secure lasting accords.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
