Donald Trump has never been known for restraint, but his latest tirade against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was unwarranted, even by his standards. Calling him a “comedian” and a “dictator” ignores the reality that if Ukraine has managed to withstand Russia’s invasion for three years, it is largely due to his leadership. When Russia attacked Ukraine, many believed Vladimir Putin would seize Kyiv within weeks. Instead, Russia has suffered enormous losses in both military personnel and equipment, and Ukraine still controls 69% of its territory. While Ukraine’s endgame remains unclear, one thing is certain: Zelenskyy has defied expectations and kept his country standing against a much larger aggressor. Any effort to bring about peace should aim to ensure Ukrainians can live securely — not simply dictate terms favourable to Moscow.
Trump, however, sees the war through a different lens. He resents the billions the US has spent supporting Ukraine and believes the conflict should be Europe’s problem to solve. While financial concerns are valid, his approach lacks both realism and fairness. If he truly wanted peace, he would pressure Russia, the “aggressor,” rather than undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. His recent comments about Ukraine’s future are even more alarming. Trump has hinted that Ukraine might not exist as an independent nation unless Zelenskyy accepts his terms. This reckless rhetoric not only emboldens Putin but also suggests Trump believes he has the right to decide the fate of sovereign nations. It’s as absurd as his reported idea to turn Gaza into a real estate project, a plan so ridiculous that even Israel dismissed it outright.
The reality is that Ukraine is not alone. European nations continue to support Kyiv, knowing that a victorious Putin could set his sights on other neighbours. Economic sanctions against Russia have not been entirely successful, thanks to the country’s ability to control its economy and sell oil through back channels. However, that does not mean the world should accept Russia’s aggression as inevitable. Ideally, the United Nations should take the lead in brokering peace, with the US playing a constructive role. But Trump’s approach — excluding Ukraine from discussions and engaging with Russia on unrealistic terms — only strengthens Putin’s hand. If Trump is truly concerned about dictators who suppress democracy, he should look at Putin, not Zelenskyy. After all, Putin has dismantled democratic institutions to stay in power indefinitely. Trump calling Zelenskyy a dictator is the ultimate case of the pot calling the kettle black. If he is serious about resolving the war, he should focus on facts rather than personal grudges. Anything less is a disservice to both Ukraine and global stability.
