Trump Urges Zelenskyy to Negotiate or Risk Losing Ukraine \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate peace with Russia quickly or risk losing Ukraine entirely. Trump’s sharp criticism, calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections”, has sparked bipartisan backlash in the U.S. Meanwhile, Ukraine and European leaders were excluded from U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, adding to tensions over Trump’s handling of the war.
Trump Pressures Ukraine for Peace: Quick Look
- Trump warned Zelenskyy to act fast or risk losing Ukraine to Russia.
- He called Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and accused him of misusing U.S. aid.
- U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war—Ukraine was excluded.
- Vice President JD Vance rebuked Zelenskyy for criticizing Trump in public.
- Trump suggested Kyiv was responsible for the war, drawing strong criticism from Democrats and some Republicans.
- Senate leaders, including John Thune and Chuck Schumer, reacted sharply to Trump’s stance.
- Ukraine rejected a U.S. minerals agreement, further straining relations with Washington.
Deep Look
President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Ukraine, warning President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he must negotiate peace with Russia quickly or risk losing Ukraine altogether. In a series of blistering remarks on Truth Social, Trump called Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and accused him of manipulating the U.S. into spending billions on an unwinnable war.
The comments ignited a firestorm of criticism, with both Democrats and Republicans reacting strongly to Trump’s stance on the war and his willingness to exclude Ukraine from negotiations.
Trump’s Message to Zelenskyy: Make a Deal or Lose Ukraine
Trump, speaking at a business summit in Miami, warned that Ukraine’s future was at stake if Zelenskyy did not agree to peace terms.
“Zelenskyy better move fast, or he is not going to have a country left,” Trump wrote.
Trump portrayed himself as the only leader capable of ending the war, criticizing President Joe Biden, Europe, and even Zelenskyy himself for prolonging the conflict.
“In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP’ and the Trump Administration can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring peace, and Zelenskyy probably wants to keep the ‘gravy train’ going.”
Zelenskyy Fires Back, Calls Trump’s View Russian Propaganda
Zelenskyy pushed back against Trump’s claims, accusing him of falling for Russian disinformation and undermining Ukraine’s fight against Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
“We have seen this disinformation. We understand that it is coming from Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s response, doubling down on his claim that Ukraine was responsible for the war—a stance that was widely criticized as inaccurate and dangerous.
JD Vance Warns Zelenskyy Against Criticizing Trump
Vice President JD Vance quickly intervened, advising Zelenskyy against publicly challenging Trump.
“The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president’s mind by badmouthing him in public media is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,” Vance told the Daily Mail.
This warning suggests that the Trump administration expects Ukraine to take a more deferential approach in dealing with Washington.
U.S. and Russia Hold Talks Without Ukraine or Europe
Adding to tensions, U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss a possible end to the war—but Ukraine and its European allies were not invited.
“Why should dominance be handed over to a country that is an aggressor, a violator of international law, and the author of aggression against Ukraine?” asked Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy.
The exclusion of Ukraine from negotiations has raised alarms among Kyiv officials, who fear the U.S. might push a settlement on Russian terms without fully considering Ukraine’s position.
Trump’s “Dictator Without Elections” Jab at Zelenskyy
One of Trump’s most controversial attacks was calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections.”
- Ukraine’s presidential elections were originally scheduled for April 2024 but were delayed due to the war.
- Trump used this to claim that Zelenskyy had refused to hold elections, likening him to an authoritarian ruler.
- Critics pointed out that holding an election during an invasion is nearly impossible and accused Trump of misrepresenting the situation.
Democrats and Republicans Slam Trump’s Comments
Trump’s comments drew bipartisan criticism, with lawmakers condemning his stance on the war and his remarks about Ukraine.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s blaming of Ukraine “disgusting.”
“It’s disgusting to see an American president turn against one of our friends and openly side with a thug like Vladimir Putin,” Schumer said.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) also rejected Trump’s claim that Ukraine started the war.
“I think Vladimir Putin started the war. He’s a gangster with a black heart and Stalin’s taste for blood.”
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) accused Trump of parroting Putin’s propaganda and insulting thousands of Ukrainians killed in the conflict.
“I would call on President Trump to apologize to the people of Ukraine, but it would be a waste of breath. Donald Trump is a pushover for Putin.”
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) suggested that Trump should be given space to negotiate a settlement.
“The president speaks for himself. What I want to see is a peaceful result, a peaceful outcome.”
Ukraine Rejects U.S. Minerals Agreement, Adding to Tensions
Another point of friction between the Trump administration and Ukraine emerged when Zelenskyy refused to sign a U.S. minerals agreement.
- The deal would have given U.S. companies access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, essential for high-tech manufacturing and defense industries.
- Ukrainian officials refused to sign, arguing that the agreement favored U.S. interests without offering Ukraine security guarantees.
- The proposal was central to Zelenskyy’s discussions with JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference.
This dispute further complicates U.S.-Ukraine relations at a time when Kyiv is already concerned about Washington’s changing stance on the war.
Trump’s Special Envoy Meets With Ukrainian Officials
Despite tensions, Trump’s special envoy, retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, met with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv on Wednesday.
Kellogg acknowledged the suffering in Ukraine but emphasized the need for a resolution.
“It’s an egregious war in the sense of the length of time and casualties there, and he [Trump] understands the human suffering,” Kellogg said. “We want to see an end to it.”
What’s Next?
With Trump pushing for a fast peace deal and Ukraine demanding a fair settlement, tensions between Kyiv and Washington are at their highest point since the war began.
As the Trump administration continues back-channel talks with Russia, the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance.
Trump Urges Zelenskyy Trump Urges Zelenskyy
You must Register or Login to post a comment.