Trump urges Zelensky to move for peace swiftly or risk losing country

Zelensky said Trump was trapped in a "Russian disinformation bubble" and rejected claims of his 4% approval rating

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US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him "a dictator without elections" and warning that he must move quickly to secure peace with Russia or risk losing his country.

The remarks, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, came shortly after Zelensky responded to Trump’s previous claims that Ukraine was responsible for Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion.

Zelensky stated that Trump was trapped in a "Russian disinformation bubble" and pointed to false narratives about his approval ratings, which Trump had pegged at just 4%.

Zelensky, who recently met with Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv, refuted Trump's claims, stating that recent polls showed 57% of Ukrainians trust him. He also emphasized that any attempt to replace him during the ongoing war would fail, and underscored his belief that Trump’s comments were influenced by Russian disinformation.

This ongoing war of words between the two leaders reflects a significant shift in US foreign policy under Trump’s leadership. Just weeks into his presidency, Trump has already taken steps to alter Washington's approach to Ukraine and Russia.

His outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including a phone call and upcoming talks between US and Russian officials, marks a dramatic departure from previous efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically.

Trump has hinted at a potential meeting with Putin later this month, while the Kremlin has suggested that US companies could return to Russia in the second quarter of the year.

Trump's criticism of Zelensky highlights the growing rift between the two leaders, with each accusing the other of failing to address the complexities of the Ukraine conflict.