Trump: ‘Dictator’ Zelensky moves quickly for peace or loss of Ukraine

“A dictator without elections, Zelenskiy should move quickly or he will not have the remaining country,” Trump wrote. Responding to this, Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that no one could force Ukraine to surrender. “We will maintain our right to live,” Sybiha said through the X platform.

Delayed elections and martial emergencies

Zelenskiy, who was supposed to end his five -year term in 2024, could not hold a presidential or parliamentary election due to martial emergency which was imposed since February 2022, following the Russian invasion. At present, Russia has controlled around 20% of Ukraine, slowly expanding control in the eastern region. Moscow called his action a “special military operation” aimed at responding to the existential threat of Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO. Meanwhile, Ukraine and Western allies called the invasion as an effort to grab the imperialist land.

Trump and Narration Disinformation

Zelenskiy, who met Trump’s messenger for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Kyiv on the same day, stated that he wanted the Trump team to have “more truth” about the situation in Ukraine. This statement appeared the day after Trump stated that Ukraine “should not start” conflict with Russia. Zelenskiy also denied Trump’s claim that his approval rate was only 4%, calling it Russian disinformation. “We have evidence that these numbers are being discussed between America and Russia. That is, President Trump … unfortunately living in this disinformation space, “he said in an interview with TV Ukraine.

According to the latest poll from the Kyiv International Sociology Institute in early February, 57% of Ukraine residents still trusted Zelenskiy. This figure shows that domestic support for their president remains strong, although the pressure from outside continues to increase.

The dynamics of US-Russian diplomacy

Trump, who is less than a month, has served as president, has changed US policy against Ukraine and Russia. He ended Washington’s attempt to isolate Russia by making a telephone call directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin and opening the path of communication between senior US and Russian officials. Trump even stated the possibility of meeting Putin in the near future. However, Kremlin stated that such a meeting requires careful preparation.

Putin himself, in his statement on Wednesday, confirmed that Ukraine would not be excluded from peace negotiations. However, he stressed that the success of negotiations depends on increasing trust between Moscow and Washington. “We need to ensure that our team prepares very important issues for the United States and Russia, including-but not only-in the Ukraine path, to achieve solutions that can be accepted by both parties,” Putin said.

European concerns and the future of Ukraine

The US-Russian talks that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, without the presence of Ukraine or European representatives, have triggered concerns among Western allies. Many are worried that the US and Russia might make an agreement that ignores the security interests of Ukraine and Europe. Trump suggested that Europe should take a greater role in ensuring a ceasefire, while Zelenskiy proposed that US companies be given the right to extract valuable minerals in Ukraine in return for security guarantees.

However, Zelenskiy stressed that the US demands to get access to 500 billions of ministers “not speaking”.miliaratasminisalUkralways“bucanpembicarOnto beius“.IamenekankanbahwaUkralwaystidakakanmenjualsumbisdayaalamnyadengvisitrgamurah.”KamitelahmenisThere is67 billion in weapons and $ 31.5 billion in the form of budget support from the US. But we cannot sell our country’s future, “he stressed.

International reaction and support for Ukraine

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) continues to show its support for Ukraine. On Wednesday, the EU delegates approved the 16th sanction package against Russia, including restrictions on aluminum and ships suspected of carrying Russian oil that was subject to sanctions. The Diplomatic EU service also proposed an increase in military assistance for Ukraine, with the aim of supplying at least 1.5 million artillery ammunition, air defense system, precision missiles, and wirawak aircraft.

However, the steps of Trump’s government in the last few days have caused anxiety among European allies. Their main fear is that the US might no longer provide consistent military protection, and Trump could have made an agreement with Putin which harmed Ukraine and European security as a whole.

Swedish Prime Minister ULF Krisson called for calm and patience. “Although there is no complete agreement in the EU about how to continue, we need to remain calm and continue to support Ukraine,” he said.

The future of uncertain

The tension between the US, Ukraine, and Russia continues to heat up, with each party holding different narratives and interests. While Trump encourages peace in a controversial way, Zelenskiy remains determined to maintain the sovereignty of his country. In the midst of all this, Europe tries to maintain solidarity and support Ukraine, although US policy uncertainty adds to the complexity of the situation.