Trump calls Zelensky a "dictator," escalating rift amid Ukraine conflict

US President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a "dictator without elections" in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The remarks mark a growing rift between the two leaders, raising concerns over the future of US support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia. In his post, Trump suggested that Zelensky’s refusal to hold elections undermines his legitimacy and warned that Ukraine risks losing its sovereignty.

Since taking office, Trump has shifted US policy by opening talks with Moscow, a stark contrast to previous American backing of Ukraine’s military efforts.

Zelensky’s five-year term technically ended last year, but under Ukrainian law, elections are not required during wartime. Martial law, implemented after Russia's invasion in 2022, has kept him in power. Despite declining approval ratings, surveys by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) show that over 50% of Ukrainians still trust Zelensky.

Trump, however, dismissed Zelensky’s leadership, claiming he is unpopular and had manipulated former US President Joe Biden. "He refuses to have elections, is very low in Ukrainian polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden 'like a fiddle,’" Trump wrote.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his stance on ending the war through negotiations with Russia, repeating several Kremlin narratives and questioning Ukraine’s role in the conflict. He claimed that only his administration has the ability to broker peace, stating, "We are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only 'TRUMP' can do."

Zelensky responded by accusing Trump of falling for Russian propaganda and misrepresenting Ukraine’s role in the war.