Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky isn’t holding back. He’s pushing back hard against former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of spreading disinformation about the war with Russia. Just a day after Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine started the conflict, Zelensky made it clear that he was not going to let such statements go unchallenged.
A Heated Exchange Between Kyiv and Washington
For nearly three years, Ukraine has been in a full-scale war with Russia, and throughout that time, the U.S. has been a key ally—at least under the Biden administration. But now, with Trump eyeing a return to the White House, his rhetoric has alarmed Kyiv and its allies. He has not only blamed Ukraine for the war but has also parroted Kremlin-backed narratives that could shift global perspectives on the conflict.
Trump’s Controversial Stance
Trump has repeatedly signaled that he wants the war to end immediately, even if it means Ukraine losing more territory to Russia. His willingness to align with Moscow’s viewpoints has left Ukraine and its supporters worried. He even went as far as to say that Ukraine "may be Russian someday," a statement that shocked many and played directly into the hands of Russian propaganda.
But Trump’s stance isn’t just about words. His actions are raising eyebrows, too. Last week, he spent 90 minutes on a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin before even reaching out to Zelensky. And then came another surprise—high-level U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine wasn’t even invited.
Kyiv Reacts to Being Sidelined
For Zelensky, this exclusion was unacceptable. While acknowledging that countries have the right to hold diplomatic discussions, he argued that the U.S. meeting directly with Russia only helped Putin break out of his long-standing isolation.
Ukraine, which has relied on U.S. support to defend itself, now faces an uncertain future if Trump returns to power. The former president has been vocal about cutting off aid unless the U.S. benefits directly, even suggesting that America should get a share of Ukraine’s mineral wealth in exchange for continued assistance.
Zelensky didn’t hesitate to respond. "I cannot sell our state," he said firmly, rejecting the notion that Ukraine should give away 50% of its rare minerals without any security guarantees in return.
Trump’s Falsehoods and Ukraine’s Pushback
When Ukraine expressed frustration over being shut out of the Riyadh talks, Trump went on the offensive. He claimed that Ukraine had been at war for three years and should have ended it by now—or better yet, never started it in the first place.
This is, of course, an outright falsehood. The war didn’t begin in 2022; it started in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. Moscow then escalated to a full-scale invasion in February 2022, sending tanks, bombers, and special forces to try to overthrow Zelensky’s government.
Trump’s remarks didn’t sit well in Ukraine. Many saw them as proof that he cannot be trusted. "Trump is a narcissist, he’s unpredictable, and Ukrainians cannot count on his support at all," said psychologist Valeria Valevska, speaking from Kyiv. Pensioner Oleksandr Mykhailov agreed, adding that Trump "obviously doesn’t understand what he’s talking about."
Moscow Cheers as Kyiv Braces for a Battle Beyond the Battlefield
While Trump’s statements frustrated Ukrainians, they were well-received in Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised Trump for echoing the Kremlin’s stance, calling his words a "signal" that he understands Russia’s position.
For years, Moscow has argued that NATO’s expansion was the real trigger for the war, even though NATO has always maintained an open-door policy. Putin has repeatedly misrepresented the alliance’s intentions to justify his invasion, falsely claiming that NATO troops were actively fighting in Ukraine.
The Legitimacy Question
Trump didn’t stop at blaming Ukraine for the war. He also cast doubt on Zelensky’s legitimacy, criticizing the country for not holding elections and falsely stating that the Ukrainian president’s approval rating had dropped to 4%.
The reality? Zelensky won a massive 73% of the vote in 2019. His term was set to end last May, but elections haven’t been held due to martial law—something imposed out of necessity after Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky fired back, stating that the claim about his low approval rating originated from Russian sources and that there was evidence suggesting these numbers had been discussed between U.S. and Russian officials. He cited a recent poll showing his approval at 57%, proving that while his popularity has declined from its wartime peak, he is still backed by the majority of Ukrainians.
The Shadow of Past Tensions
This isn’t the first time Trump and Zelensky have clashed. Their strained relationship dates back to Trump’s first presidency when he pressured Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. That infamous phone call led to Trump’s first impeachment.
Now, with a possible Trump comeback, Ukraine faces an uncertain future. If Trump’s rhetoric becomes U.S. policy, it could reshape the war’s trajectory, leaving Kyiv with fewer resources and diplomatic backing.
The Bigger Picture
With tensions rising and misinformation spreading, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Ukraine. The country has fought tooth and nail to defend its sovereignty against Russia’s aggression. Any shift in U.S. support could dramatically impact the war’s outcome.
For now, Zelensky remains defiant. He’s determined to keep Ukraine’s fate in its own hands—regardless of the political shifts happening thousands of miles away in Washington.
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