Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that the Ukrainian leader is not essential to peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, Trump suggested that Zelensky’s presence in negotiations between the United States and Russia is unnecessary, and he labeled the Ukrainian president’s role as a hindrance to achieving peace.
Trump acknowledged having had “very good talks” with Russian President Vladimir Putin but said his conversations with Ukrainian representatives had been less productive. He emphasized that Ukraine’s leaders, including Zelensky, “don’t have any cards” in the negotiations, suggesting that they play a tough game but have little leverage. Trump’s remarks came in the wake of a diplomatic meeting between Russian diplomats and international officials in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine was notably excluded.
In his interview, Trump continued to express frustration with Zelensky, pointing to his long tenure as Ukraine’s president and criticizing him for not achieving substantial progress in peace talks over the past three years. He dismissed Zelensky’s complaints about being left out of the discussions, adding that the Ukrainian president had already been involved in meetings for years without any significant outcomes.
Trump’s comments mark a shift from his earlier criticism of Zelensky, whom he previously labeled a “dictator with elections” following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The former U.S. president further asserted that Ukraine’s leaders have failed to bring anything of value to the table, claiming that they are more of an obstacle than a participant in peace negotiations.
In addition to his attacks on Zelensky, Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with the international response to the war. He lashed out at French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing them of not doing enough to end the conflict. Macron, who is scheduled to meet with Trump next week, had stated that he planned to tell the former president that “you can’t be weak with President Putin.” Trump dismissed these leaders’ efforts, saying they had not made any meaningful contributions to resolving the crisis.
Trump also discussed the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations, suggesting that Ukraine might be expected to grant American companies preferential access to its mineral resources in exchange for the financial aid the country has received. This proposal, which Zelensky had rejected, highlights the tension over how Ukraine should compensate the U.S. for its ongoing support.
As Trump continues to criticize both Zelensky and Western leaders, the diplomatic landscape around the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains increasingly complex, with the former president’s stance potentially influencing future U.S. foreign policy.
