Trump Critiques Zelensky Amid Ukraine War Comments

Former President Donald Trump sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a campaign event in Georgia, describing him as the “greatest salesman on Earth” due to the military aid Ukraine has received from the United States since the start of the war with Russia. Trump made these remarks on Tuesday, as he also touted his ability to end the war swiftly if he were to return to office. His comments come amid growing tension between Trump and Zelensky, fueled by the latter’s recent remarks in an interview where he questioned Trump’s ability to bring the conflict to a resolution.

Trump, speaking to his supporters, suggested that each time Zelensky visits the U.S., he secures significant amounts of financial aid. “Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion,” Trump claimed. “I think he’s the greatest salesman on Earth.” However, Trump’s assertion is an exaggeration, as the U.S. has provided approximately $60 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in early 2022, far short of the $100 billion figure Trump referenced.

Beyond his critique of Zelensky’s diplomatic skills, Trump questioned Ukraine’s chances of winning the war. He praised Russia’s military history, suggesting that Ukraine faces a nearly insurmountable challenge against Russia. “They beat Hitler, they beat Napoleon—that’s what they do, they fight,” Trump said, lauding Russia’s combat experience in historical wars. This remark continues a pattern in Trump’s rhetoric of praising Russia’s strength and resilience, while expressing skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to emerge victorious in the ongoing war.

Trump also reiterated his confidence that he could swiftly end the conflict if he were to be elected president again. “We’re stuck in that war unless I’m president,” he told the crowd, once again promising that he could broker a deal to stop the fighting. Trump has repeatedly suggested that his negotiation skills and relationship with key world leaders could bring an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, though he has not provided a clear plan for achieving such a resolution.

A day prior, during a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, Trump made similar remarks, saying that Zelensky would prefer to see Democrats win the upcoming election. “Zelensky wants the Democrats to win this election so badly,” Trump alleged. He went on to outline what he believes would be his first move as president: calling Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. “The first thing I’ll do if I’m elected is call up Zelensky and call up President Putin and say, ‘you gotta make a deal, this is crazy,’” Trump said, without specifying how he would facilitate such a peace agreement.

Trump’s verbal attacks on Zelensky come shortly after the Ukrainian president was featured in an interview with The New Yorker, in which Zelensky questioned Trump’s understanding of how to end the war. In the piece published on Monday, Zelensky remarked, “Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows.” Zelensky also criticized Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, labeling him as “too radical.” Vance, a Republican senator from Ohio, has been a vocal opponent of the U.S.’s continued military aid to Ukraine and has questioned the country’s long-term role in the conflict.

Zelensky is currently in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly in New York. His visit includes meetings with several key figures in the Biden administration, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Zelensky is scheduled to meet with both leaders at the White House on Thursday, and his visit is expected to focus heavily on securing continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense efforts, as well as on coordinating international diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia.

The Ukrainian president’s trip comes at a critical time for U.S.-Ukraine relations, as political debates continue over the extent of U.S. involvement in the war. The Biden administration has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, but the issue of military aid has become increasingly divisive in U.S. domestic politics, with some Republicans, including Trump, criticizing the level of support being provided. Trump’s rhetoric on Ukraine, and his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has further inflamed these debates.

Throughout the war, Trump has largely avoided explicitly stating whether he wants Ukraine to win its conflict with Russia. Instead, his public comments have focused on a broader desire to end the war as quickly as possible. He has regularly criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the situation, arguing that their approach has prolonged the conflict and increased U.S. financial commitments. However, Trump has not clarified how he would achieve peace, and his past statements praising Putin have raised questions about his approach to Russia’s territorial ambitions.

In the days leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Trump infamously referred to Putin as “genius” and “savvy” for recognizing the independence of two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine, a move that was widely condemned by the international community. Since then, Trump has continued to express admiration for Putin, despite the Russian leader’s aggressive actions in Ukraine.

The issue of U.S. involvement in Ukraine remains a major foreign policy question in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. As Zelensky seeks to shore up international support during his U.S. visit, Trump’s latest comments reflect a broader split within the Republican Party on how to handle the war. While some Republicans favor continued aid to Ukraine, others, like Trump and his allies, argue for reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts and focusing more on domestic issues.

As Zelensky meets with Biden and other top officials this week, the ongoing debate over the war’s direction—and Trump’s influence on that debate—will likely continue to shape the political landscape. Whether Trump’s vision of brokering a deal between Zelensky and Putin could ever come to fruition remains to be seen, but his rhetoric and skepticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine signal a potential shift in U.S. policy should he return to office. For now, Zelensky is focused on ensuring that the U.S. remains firmly in Ukraine’s corner as the war grinds on, even as Trump’s criticisms grow louder.