Trump calls Zelensky a 'dictator' who destroyed his country, Germany calls his statement 'dangerous'

US President Donald Trump described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as an unelected dictator who better act quickly or he will have no country left. German Chancellor Scholz, in contrast, called Trump's comments "wrong and dangerous."

Trump said in a tweet on his social networking site, Truth Social, that Zelensky convinced Washington to spend $350 billion to enter an unwinnable war, and revealed that the Ukrainian president admitted that "half the money we sent him is missing, he refuses to hold elections, and his approval rating is low."

Trump added that the war did not have to start, but it is a war that Zelensky will never be able to settle without Washington and Trump, noting that the United States is successfully negotiating with Russia to end the war, "which everyone recognizes can only be done by Trump and his administration."

"I love Ukraine, but Zelensky has done a terrible job, his country is broken, and millions have died needlessly," the US president said.

pic.twitter.com/PMcrOwXejI

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2025

Trump's statement is dangerous

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded on Wednesday to US President Donald Trump's description of his Ukrainian counterpart as an "unelected dictator," considering his statement "wrong and dangerous."

"Not recognizing President (Volodymyr) Zelensky's democratic legitimacy is simply wrong and dangerous," Scholz told Der Spiegel, stressing that "not holding these elections in the middle of a war is in line with what the Ukrainian constitution and electoral laws stipulate."

On February 3, the US president said that military and other aid provided by his country to Ukraine had reached “huge” amounts, and that his administration wanted rare minerals from Kiev in return.

Trump also stressed the need to end the war in Ukraine, stressing that continued US support for Kiev must be in return.

Source: Al Jazeera + AFP