Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, suggesting that Trump is ensnared in a “disinformation” bubble propagated by Russian sources. This remark came in response to Trump’s derogatory comments about Zelensky’s popularity ratings during recent statements, where he acknowledged that presidential elections in Ukraine are currently suspended due to martial law.
In a notable exchange, Trump appeared to downplay Zelensky’s political standing, claiming that the Ukrainian leader’s approval rating was a meager four percent. Zelensky refuted this figure, attributing it to misinformation spread by Moscow. Following this, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology released a telephone poll indicating that 57 percent of respondents expressed trust in Zelensky, while 37 percent did not, leaving a small percentage undecided. Zelensky highlighted the importance of conveying this factual information to Trump’s team to illuminate the reality of his support among the Ukrainian populace.
The context of these comments coincided with the first in-person meeting between U.S. and Russian foreign ministers since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Discussions were centered around recalibrating bilateral relations and exploring pathways to resolve the ongoing conflict. Zelensky voiced concerns that the recent engagement between the United States and Russia had inadvertently aided Putin in alleviating years of international isolation.
He emphasized the negative repercussions of this U.S.-Russian rapprochement on Ukraine, stating, “All of this has no positive impact on Ukraine.” In his remarks, Zelensky reiterated the urgent need for tangible security guarantees from Western allies, asserting that such assurances are crucial for a potential ceasefire and expressing hope to reach an end to the conflict within the year.
“We want security guarantees this year, because we want to end the war this year,” Zelensky asserted, underlining the heightened urgency as Ukraine continues to grapple with the ramifications of the ongoing war. The statements reflect Zelensky’s ongoing efforts to secure unwavering international support while navigating a complex diplomatic landscape.
