"Trump's new statements: a 'red card' for Zelensky and a potential collapse in relations? What do these developments mean for Ukraine?"
Unfortunately, all Ukrainians today find themselves in the midst of history, and it seems we are once again witnessing a historical event. This pertains to a geopolitical shift and the loss of a key ally in the war over the past three years – the United States. At least, it is hard to interpret the recent statements from American President Donald Trump any other way.
Both yesterday and today, the leader of the United States has employed not just emotional or harsh, but devastating rhetoric, criticizing his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. Specifically, he accused him of "extorting" hundreds of billions of dollars from the U.S., referred to him as a "dictator without elections," and claimed that soon he would have "no country left."
The reaction to these statements in Ukraine and around the world has been highly polarized. Interestingly, the president himself has not commented on such rhetoric, although many have done so on his behalf.
So what exactly did Trump say, what does it signify, and what might the future developments look like? Political analyst from UA.News Nikita Trachuk, along with experts, has explored this issue.
"A dictator without elections, playing Biden"
We will not reproduce the full text of Trump's post on his own social network, Truth Social, especially since accessing it from Ukraine without a VPN is impossible. Let's recall the most significant and striking statements.
Thus, the U.S. president labeled his Ukrainian counterpart as a "comedian with modest success." Yet, this comedian somehow managed to persuade the U.S. to spend $350 billion on a war that cannot be won. According to Trump, America has spent $200 billion more than Europe. Moreover, it seems that Europe will eventually return that money, whereas Americans will not.
"This war is much more important for Europe than for us. We have a big beautiful ocean separating us," - stated Trump.
He also claimed that half of the funds allocated to Zelensky have "disappeared." The Ukrainian president himself refuses to hold elections, has low ratings in polls, and the only thing he excels at is "playing Biden like a violin." Zelensky, whom Trump describes as a "dictator without elections," must "hurry," as very soon he will have "no country left." Only the U.S. and he, Donald Trump, can end the war.
"Biden hasn't even tried to bring peace, Europe couldn't, and Zelensky seemingly wishes for the financial flow to continue," - wrote Trump.
He concluded by stating that he "loves Ukraine," but that Zelensky has done a "terrible job," his country is devastated, and "millions have died in vain."
5Interestingly, today, February 20, Trump continued his scathing criticism of Zelensky. Specifically, while speaking at a summit in Miami, the American president nearly repeated all his accusations almost verbatim. He added that over three years, the Ukrainian leader has done nothing to swiftly stop the hostilities. Meanwhile, he, Trump, has accomplished more in one month (today marks exactly one month since his inauguration) than anyone else has in three years.
The entire situation is