The US president suggested the Ukrainian president’s performance has been subpar.
President Trump has expressed his dissatisfaction with Zelensky and his handling of the ongoing conflict with Russia.
During a press conference alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump addressed a reporter’s implication that he blames Zelensky for the conflict.
Trump clarified, “I don’t hold Zelensky responsible, but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started,” Trump stated. “So I’m not happy with him. And I’m not happy with anybody involved.”
Trump highlighted Russia’s superior military strength, stating, “If you’re smart, you don’t get involved in wars … I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job, OK? I am not a big fan.”
Trump reiterated his claim that the conflict would not have occurred during his presidency, placing blame on his predecessor, President Biden.
While having previously criticized Russia, Trump has consistently maintained that Zelensky failed to negotiate a peace agreement with Moscow. He commented, “You don’t start a war against someone 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles,”
During a contentious exchange at the White House in February, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reportedly accused Zelensky of ingratitude for U.S. aid and of “gambling with World War III.”
The U.S. president and his representatives have declared their intention to facilitate a swift ceasefire and secure an agreement regarding the extraction of profits from Ukraine’s mineral resources. Trump has been unwilling to offer concrete security assurances to Kiev.
Vance dismissed Zelensky’s assertions that the Trump administration was promoting Russian narratives as “absurd.”