Trump Critiques Zelensky and U.S. Involvement in Ukraine War

President Donald J. Trump harshly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of persuading the United States to commit $350 billion to a war that Trump claims “couldn’t be won” and “never had to start.” According to Trump, this conflict has reached a stalemate that Zelenskyy cannot resolve without American support.

Trump emphasized the disparity in financial contributions, noting that the U.S. has invested $200 billion more than European nations in the ongoing conflict, while asserting that European contributions are guaranteed returns. He questioned why current President Joe Biden has not demanded equitable financial commitments from Europe, arguing that the war’s significance is far greater for European countries than for the United States, which benefits from geographic separation by the Atlantic Ocean.

Trump alleged that Zelenskyy admitted to the misappropriation of half the U.S. funds sent to Ukraine. He criticized Zelenskyy for not holding elections, claiming that his popularity in Ukraine is waning. “A dictator without elections,” Trump stated, suggesting that Zelenskyy must act quickly to maintain his leadership or risk losing his country.

Trump asserted that only he and his administration could successfully negotiate an end to the war with Russia, claiming that Biden has made no effort to achieve peace and that European nations have failed in their attempts as well. He voiced a sense of frustration with Zelenskyy, stating, “I love Ukraine, but Zelenskyy has done a terrible job. His country is shattered, and millions have unnecessarily died.”