Trump vs. Zelensky: War of words heats up as US holds secret talks with Russia

US President Donald Trump has once again sparked controversy by blaming Ukraine for the ongoing war with Russia, which is approaching its third anniversary. His remarks come at a critical moment as US envoy Keith Kellogg visits Kyiv for high-level discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The visit, which is part of a three-day diplomatic mission, is overshadowed by Trump Ukraine policy shifts and deepening tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

Trump has openly criticized Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator” and accusing him of failing to negotiate peace with Russia. In response, Zelensky has dismissed Trump’s claims, arguing that the US president has been misled by Russian propaganda. The ongoing Zelensky Trump tensions have raised concerns over the future of US support for Ukraine, particularly as diplomatic efforts intensify on multiple fronts.

What happened during Keith Kellogg’s visit to Kyiv?

Kellogg, a retired US general and longtime Trump security advisor, arrived in Ukraine for discussions with Zelensky. However, Ukrainian officials confirmed that the scheduled press conference was abruptly canceled. Instead of answering questions from journalists, Kellogg participated only in a formal photocall and protocol handshake, adding to speculation about the nature of his visit.

His trip coincides with increased uncertainty surrounding US-Ukraine relations, particularly following recent Ukraine war negotiations between the US and Russia in Riyadh, where Kyiv was notably excluded. The absence of Ukraine from these talks has fueled speculation that Trump’s administration could be sidelining Zelensky in future peace discussions.

What did Trump say about Ukraine and the war?

Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Ukraine, alleging that the country manipulated the US into spending billions in military aid. Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, he launched a direct attack on Zelensky, writing:

“Think of it, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky, 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… but a war that he, without the US and ‘TRUMP,’ will never be able to settle.”

He went on to claim that Ukraine should have made a deal with Russia before the war escalated and accused Zelensky of mismanaging his country’s defense strategy. Trump further suggested that European nations had not contributed their fair share of support, implying that Zelensky had “played Biden like a fiddle” to secure military aid. His statement, widely seen as a dramatic shift in Trump Ukraine policy, has heightened concerns that US support for Kyiv could weaken under his leadership.

How did Zelensky respond to Trump’s ‘dictator’ accusation?

In response to Trump’s claim that he is a “dictator without elections,” Zelensky pointed to polling data showing that 57% of Ukrainians still trust his leadership. He also reminded critics that he won the 2019 presidential election with 73% of the vote.

Zelensky has repeatedly argued that holding elections during wartime would be logistically impossible and could compromise national security. He dismissed Trump’s remarks as part of a broader Russian disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Ukraine’s credibility on the international stage. The Zelensky Trump tensions have further complicated Ukraine’s position as it continues to seek unwavering support from the West.

Why is the UK defending Zelensky?

Amid the escalating war of words between Trump and Zelensky, United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stepped in to defend the Ukrainian leader. In a statement from Downing Street, Starmer reaffirmed Zelensky as the “democratically elected leader” of Ukraine.

Drawing a historical comparison, Starmer likened Zelensky to former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who also suspended elections during World War II. He argued that wartime leaders must focus on national security rather than political campaigns, calling the move “perfectly reasonable.”

However, despite expressing support for Zelensky, Starmer avoided direct criticism of Trump. The UK prime minister is scheduled to visit Washington soon, where he is expected to discuss Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with the American president.

Did the US negotiate with Russia without Ukraine?

The controversy surrounding Ukraine war negotiations intensified after reports emerged that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia. The discussions, which reportedly lasted four hours, focused on a range of global security issues, including the Ukraine conflict.

Rubio later confirmed that the US and Russia had agreed on four key principles to help resolve the war, though details remain unclear. The lack of Ukrainian participation has raised alarms in Kyiv, where officials insist that any peace talks must involve Ukraine directly.

Zelensky firmly rejected the notion of a US-Russia deal that excludes Ukraine, stating that he would not “give in to Russia’s ultimatums.” Trump’s response was dismissive, suggesting that Ukraine had missed its opportunity to negotiate:

“Today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it three years ago… You could have made a deal,” Trump remarked.

What is Trump’s stance on Russia’s role in the war?

Trump has drawn fresh criticism by suggesting that Russia is willing to end the war and that Ukraine is prolonging the conflict. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, he condemned the war as “senseless” and preventable, stating:

“Russia wants to do something. They want to stop the barbarianism that’s going on over there. Soldiers are being killed by the thousands every week. Apart from Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, a lot of Koreans have been killed.”

His assertion that Russia is motivated by a desire to end the war contradicts Ukraine’s position that Moscow continues its aggressive military operations. Critics argue that Trump’s Trump Ukraine policy is increasingly aligned with Russian narratives, raising concerns over how his administration might handle US-Ukraine relations in the future.

What does this mean for US-Ukraine relations?

As tensions between Trump and Zelensky escalate, uncertainty looms over the future of US-Ukraine relations. With Trump’s influence growing ahead of the 2024 US elections, analysts speculate that his potential second term could significantly alter Washington’s approach to the war.

While diplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts, the divisions between the US and Ukraine are becoming more pronounced. As Trump strengthens his rhetoric, it remains unclear whether Kyiv can count on long-term American support or if shifts in Ukraine war negotiations will lead to a different strategy under his leadership.