Former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” and accusing him of manipulating the United States into spending billions of dollars on a war that "couldn't be won."
Trump’s remarks, posted on social media, have escalated tensions and raised questions about his stance on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
In his post, Trump criticized Zelensky’s leadership, arguing that Ukraine has taken advantage of U.S. financial aid while failing to deliver results. He claimed that the U.S. has poured an estimated $350 billion into the war effort, significantly more than European nations, yet will receive nothing in return.
Trump questioned why the Biden administration had not demanded financial equalization from European allies, given that the war directly impacts them more than the U.S.
"Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion dollars to go into a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start,” Trump wrote. “The United States has spent $200 billion more than Europe, and Europe’s money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back."
Trump went further, accusing Zelensky of losing control of Ukraine’s finances, referencing claims that a significant portion of U.S. aid has gone missing. “On top of this, Zelenskyy admits that half of the money we sent him is ‘MISSING,’” Trump alleged.
The former president also slammed Zelensky for not holding elections, implying that he is clinging to power without democratic legitimacy. "He refuses to have elections, is very low in Ukrainian polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden ‘like a fiddle,’” Trump wrote.
“A Dictator without elections, Zelenskyy better move fast, or he is not going to have a country left."
Trump also took aim at the Biden administration and European leaders, accusing them of failing to bring an end to the war. He claimed that only his leadership could successfully negotiate peace with Russia, stating, “In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring peace, and Zelensky probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going."
Trump’s post has already sparked a strong reaction from Ukrainian officials, with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister posting a response that appeared to rebut Trump’s claims. While the full details of the response were not immediately available, it signaled that Ukraine is not backing down from Trump’s accusations.
Trump’s comments align with his broader skepticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine, a stance that has become a defining issue among his supporters. His claims of financial waste and mismanagement have fueled criticism of the Biden administration’s foreign policy, particularly among conservatives who believe the U.S. should prioritize domestic issues over foreign conflicts.
However, Trump’s assertion that Ukraine is a scam and that Zelensky is a dictator is likely to be met with pushback from both sides of the political aisle. The U.S. has remained a key ally of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, providing military and financial assistance to help the country defend itself.
Many in Washington, including some Republicans, argue that continued support is crucial to preventing further Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
Despite his attacks, Trump insisted that he supports Ukraine but believes Zelensky has done a “terrible job.” He concluded his post with a grim outlook on the war’s impact, saying, "I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job, his country is shattered, and MILLIONS have unnecessarily died – and so it continues."
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears, Trump’s remarks on Ukraine will likely become a major talking point in the political landscape. His strong rhetoric against Zelensky and his promise to negotiate peace with Russia could appeal to voters skeptical of continued U.S. involvement in the war.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Ukrainian officials are expected to push back against Trump’s claims, emphasizing the importance of American support in preventing Ukraine from falling to Russian forces. With the war still raging and no clear resolution in sight, Trump’s words may add further strain to the already complex relationship between Ukraine and the U.S.
