US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy “a dictator without elections” and warned that he must act quickly to secure peace or risk losing his country.
Trump’s remarks came after Zelenskiy rejected his claim that Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s 2022 invasion, stating that the US president was trapped in a Russian disinformation bubble.
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskiy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, “We will defend our right to exist,” dismissing any notion of surrender.
Trump-Putin Meeting in the Works
Trump hinted at a possible meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month. The Kremlin acknowledged that such a meeting would take time to prepare, but Russia’s sovereign wealth fund expects some US companies to return to Russia in the second quarter.
Putin stated that Ukraine would not be excluded from peace talks but emphasized the need to restore trust between Moscow and Washington.
Europe’s Uncertainty & Ukraine’s Offer
Zelenskiy proposed granting US companies rights to extract Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees, but Trump has not responded positively. The Ukrainian leader stated that the US has provided Ukraine $67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in budgetary support, dismissing the demand for $500 billion worth of minerals as “not a serious conversation.”
EU Sanctions & Military Aid Plans
Trump’s sudden shift in Ukraine policy has left European allies alarmed, particularly over the uncertainty of US military support. The European Union has approved its 16th sanctions package against Russia, targeting aluminum and vessels transporting sanctioned Russian oil.
EU officials are considering increased military aid to Ukraine, including 1.5 million rounds of ammunition, air defense systems, and drones.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson remarked, “The EU is not fully aligned on the next steps, but we must remain level-headed and continue supporting Ukraine.”
