Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of spreading disinformation, responding to false claims made by Trump about Ukraine’s role in the war with Russia. Zelensky’s remarks mark one of the most public clashes between Kyiv and Washington since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly three years ago.  

 

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky rejected Trump’s assertions while emphasizing that any resolution to the war must involve Ukraine directly. “Unfortunately, President Trump—I have great respect for him as a leader of a nation that we have great respect for, the American people who always support us—unfortunately lives in this disinformation space,” Zelensky said.  

 

His comments followed high-level discussions between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. Kyiv was not included in the talks, which aimed at negotiating an end to the war and reestablishing diplomatic channels. Zelensky criticized the meeting, arguing that U.S. engagement with Moscow “helped Putin out of his long isolation,” as Russia has been largely ostracized on the global stage since the war began.  

 

Trump reacted to Ukraine’s exclusion from the negotiations by making a series of inaccurate claims. “Today I heard, ‘Oh well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you been there for three years. You should’ve ended it after three years. You should’ve never started it. You could’ve made a deal,” he said late Tuesday.  

 

The claim that Ukraine initiated the war has been a persistent falsehood promoted by the Kremlin. The conflict began in 2014 when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. In February 2022, Moscow escalated its aggression by launching a full-scale invasion, sending troops across the border, bombing Ukrainian cities, and attempting to capture Kyiv.  

 

Trump further questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, repeating another narrative frequently used by Moscow. “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law,” he said at his Mar-a-Lago resort, while falsely claiming that Zelensky’s approval rating was “at 4%.”  

 

Zelensky dismissed these statements as Russian propaganda, saying Ukraine had evidence that such claims were discussed between the U.S. and Russia. He pointed to a recent survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), which showed that while his popularity has declined since the war’s early days, his approval rating has never fallen below 50% and currently stands at 57%.  

Zelensky says the cost of the war in Ukraine so far is $320bn, saying Kyiv and US have different numbers on this. About $120bn has come from Ukraine taxpayers, and $200bn from the US and EU, he adds. The US supplied $67bn in weapons as well as budget support, he says. Trump has previously said the US wants the equivalent of $500bn worth of rare earth minerals from Ukraine in exchange for its continued support.

 

“It’s not $500bn – that’s not a serious conversation," Zelensky says. He says that the US alleges 90% of support for Ukraine comes from them, but "the truth is somewhere else". "We are grateful for their support," he adds.

 

Zelensky also clarified that elections were not held last year due to martial law, which was implemented after Russia’s invasion. The law prohibits elections from taking place in wartime. Despite Trump’s comments, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine remains steadfast in its fight and that any decisions about the war’s resolution must involve Kyiv.

 

Based on a report by CNN | BBC  2025-02-20

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of spreading disinformation

Don't bite the hand that feed you...

3 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

Don't bite the hand that feed you...

More like don’t bite the hand that’s trying to stab your nation in the guts!as an American I feel deep shame to see an American president spout kremlin propaganda it’s beyond my comprehension…master negotiator my posterior.heres our Donnie snatching defeat from the jaws of victory…..there’s a new nickname for him making the rounds…..the great betrayer……btw Zelenskyys approval rating presently is 57% positive and Putin invaded his neighbor not the other way around…history is going to be very unkind to trump very unkind indeed.

I wasn't expecting anything different from trump. 

He always had sympathy for dictators and alike. 

And he is completely ignorant about the world out of us.

5 minutes ago, Rinato said:

I wasn't expecting anything different from trump. 

He always had sympathy for dictators and alike. 

And he is completely ignorant about the world out of us.

 

He's easily flattered. That;s how he was brought up, surrounded by sychophants telling him the boss's son is doing a great job.

 

I am disappointed in Vance though. He should be more worldly., and I thought, considering his consistant public and private comments in 2016 and 2017, he was putting on some sort of necessary act.

 

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-was-called-american-hitler-by-his-running-mate-jd-vance-list-of-criticism-6116500

 

But I fear he was born spineless.

3 minutes ago, MicroB said:

 

He's easily flattered. That;s how he was brought up, surrounded by sychophants telling him the boss's son is doing a great job.

 

I am disappointed in Vance though. He should be more worldly., and I thought, considering his consistant public and private comments in 2016 and 2017, he was putting on some sort of necessary act.

 

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-was-called-american-hitler-by-his-running-mate-jd-vance-list-of-criticism-6116500

 

But I fear he was born spineless.

They lead this fool around by the nose he’s like a puppy wanting putin to pet him and give him a treat ……heck little Kim had him eating out of his hand and that monster is still cranking out nukes like hot cakes!art of the deal indeed!

Don't even try to sane wash what Trump did this time.

Trump is a player

Trump is a player
 

You certainly got that right, but with what?

1 hour ago, Tug said:

it’s beyond my comprehension

 

You said it.

Well say what you like you like but Trump certainly knows how to push people's buttons as evidenced by the usual and predictable posts on here by some. The man shoots from the hip and definitely has his own style but the upshot is this war will be brought to end and the longer it takes the more territory Ukraine will lose. The eastern front is moving west and doing so faster than ever. 

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Well say what you like you like but Trump certainly knows how to push people's buttons as evidenced by the usual and predictable posts on here by some. The man shoots from the hip and definitely has his own style but the upshot is this war will be brought to end and the longer it takes the more territory Ukraine will lose. The eastern front is moving west and doing so faster than ever. 

Surrendering can be done very quickly.

 

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Well say what you like you like but Trump certainly knows how to push people's buttons as evidenced by the usual and predictable posts on here by some. The man shoots from the hip and definitely has his own style but the upshot is this war will be brought to end and the longer it takes the more territory Ukraine will lose. The eastern front is moving west and doing so faster than ever. 

This would be fine if you're just a right wing fanatical youtube influencer. This man is supposed to be the leader of the free world.

Instead he's quickly alienating US allies and is partnering up with dictatorships.

This will not end well. His lizard brain words have severe and dire consequences, not just for the US but the rest of the world.

Trump is a liar,   he makes up stories that suit him even if they are incorrect. 

 

Everyone knows he's a liar,   a fake ......     one would have to be an absolute idiot to believe anything that comes his sewer pipe mouth. 

 

Good on Zelensky for speaking his mind,  although he was very humble about it,  he was actually saying ,  hey Donald Trump ...  your a <deleted>  god damn liar.  

 

Has Trump ever fought in any war, carried a rifle,  been on the front line  ?  NO no no ....  

Trump couldn't hold a candle to Zelensky in my book,    he's trump trash. 

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Surrendering can be done very quickly.

 

Do you actually think Ukraine is winning the war? I have asked you this before on many occasions and you have never answered. How to you think this war can be brought to an end? Do you think Ukraine can defeat Russia? Do you have any idea what is happening on the eastern front?

Just now, dinsdale said:

Do you actually think Ukraine is winning the war? I have asked you this before on many occasions and you have never answered. How to you think this war can be brought to an end? Do you think Ukraine can defeat Russia? Do you have any idea what is happening on the eastern front?

Do you have any idea what's happening in the Russian economy?

 

13 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

This would be fine if you're just a right wing fanatical youtube influencer. This man is supposed to be the leader of the free world.

Instead he's quickly alienating US allies and is partnering up with dictatorships.

This will not end well. His lizard brain words have severe and dire consequences, not just for the US but the rest of the world.

The thing is that Trump is an atypical Republican. He doesn't want war. Indeed it's not just Republican hawks that want war, you don't have to look that far back in history to see the Democrats hawkish approach. As for alienating US allies maybe it's time they started supporting themselves more rather than relying on the US taxpayer.

 

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Do you have any idea what's happening in the Russian economy?

Yes. It's ticking along. Manufacturing is going strong and this is a typical thing in war time (military manufacturing) and the oil and gas is still being exported. Any strains on the economy will outlast the number of boots Ukraine can put on the battlefield. Having said this you have once again deflected away from answering the question. How do you think this war can be brought to an end? 

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Volodymyr Zelensky has accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of spreading disinformation

He said the truth - and still in a polite way.

 

I would love to hear the uncensored unfiltered comments from other politicians all over the world. I guess most of them would be so profane that nobody would publish them. Like that stupid ignorant ahole or something like that.

 

The whole world should tell Trump and America the truth about their maniac leader. 

I would love to know what Putin has on Trump. That must be heavy duty kompromat. 

 

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of spreading disinformation,

What does Zelensky know that we don't know?

Trump, Putin's chief tool in the USA.

2 hours ago, Tug said:

More like don’t bite the hand that’s trying to stab your nation in the guts!as an American I feel deep shame to see an American president spout kremlin propaganda it’s beyond my comprehension…master negotiator my posterior.heres our Donnie snatching defeat from the jaws of victory…..there’s a new nickname for him making the rounds…..the great betrayer……btw Zelenskyys approval rating presently is 57% positive and Putin invaded his neighbor not the other way around…history is going to be very unkind to trump very unkind indeed.

The hatred for your own country is sickening. 

22 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

 

The whole world should tell Trump and America the truth about their maniac leader. 

We dont care. We love him. Sucks to be you.

8 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Trump, Putin's chief tool in the USA.

Edged out Tucker Carlson!

Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Millions of dollars contributed by foreign countries in support of Ukraines's war effort have disappeared. Over the years Kyev governments have  treated Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine with brutality. These, and other issues, are conveniently played down by most people in the western 

media. Worth bearing this in mind by those aiming to negotiate a cessation of hostilities. 

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Has Trump ever fought in any war, carried a rifle,  been on the front line  ?  NO no no ....  

Trump couldn't hold a candle to Zelensky in my book,    he's trump trash. 

Zelensky was a comedian , wasn't he? 

This is Biden's war costing US and EU taxpayers a fortune . Trump just wants to end it, Zelensky wants to keep it going to keep the money  rolling in.