Donald Trump labels Zelensky a “Dictator”

US President Donald Trump escalated his personal feud with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, calling him a “dictator” and criticizing his leadership amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The remarks mark a significant shift in Trump’s stance, who had previously supported Ukraine with funding and military aid, but has recently shifted towards opening dialogue with Moscow.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump lashed out at Zelensky, who is in the midst of a five-year term that expired last year, claiming he was “a Dictator without Elections” and urging him to act quickly or risk losing his country. Trump’s comments follow his criticism of Zelensky in a press conference earlier this week, where he repeated several Kremlin-backed narratives and called for an end to the war.

Zelensky responded by accusing Trump of falling victim to Russian “disinformation,” especially in regard to claims that Ukraine had “started” the war and questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy. Trump’s posts also criticized Zelensky’s lack of elections, despite wartime law in Ukraine, and questioned his popularity in the polls.

Meanwhile, Trump touted his ability to negotiate peace with Russia, claiming only his administration could successfully end the war.