Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of unity both at home and in Europe, along with pragmatic support from Washington, as he struck a conciliatory tone following public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump declared on Wednesday that Zelensky was a “dictator without elections” and urged him to secure peace swiftly or risk losing Ukraine. This unprecedented rhetoric from a U.S. leader marked a stark departure from Washington’s longstanding role as a key ally of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago.
The U.S. president is pushing for a rapid resolution to the Ukraine war, raising concerns among European allies by excluding them and Ukraine from initial negotiations with Russia, while blaming Ukraine for the February 2022 invasion. In response, European leaders have pledged to increase defense spending, with some considering a U.S.-backed European peacekeeping force for Ukraine—a proposal welcomed by Zelensky but condemned by the Kremlin.
“We are standing strong on our own two feet. I am counting on Ukrainian unity, our courage… on the unity of Europe and the pragmatism of America,” Zelensky said in a video address late Wednesday. “Because America needs success just as much as we do,” he added.
Zelensky also announced plans to meet with visiting U.S. envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, on Thursday, stressing the need for constructive dialogue with Washington.
Meanwhile, Trump is working to restore ties with Russia while eyeing investments in Ukraine’s critical mineral resources. Ukraine rejected an initial U.S. proposal due to the absence of security guarantees, and Zelensky accused Trump of echoing Russian disinformation. White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz responded on Thursday, urging Ukraine to tone down its criticism and accept the minerals deal.
“They need to take a hard look and sign that deal,” Waltz told Fox News.
Two sources told Reuters that the Trump administration might pursue a simplified minerals agreement first, with detailed negotiations to follow.
A Wake-Up Call for Europe
European leaders are scrambling to respond to the apparent shift in U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine.
“Recent developments and this different view from the United States force us not only to face the truth but to act swiftly,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said after discussions with other European leaders and Canada on Wednesday.
On the battlefield, Russian forces continue to devastate Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages, making incremental gains along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line in eastern and southern Ukraine. Moscow now controls about a fifth of Ukraine and claims ownership of more territory.
While Ukrainian officials argue that a ceasefire would only allow Russia time to regroup for further aggression, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief acknowledged on Thursday that a ceasefire could happen this year—though he expressed doubts about its longevity.
Upon his arrival in Kyiv on Wednesday, Kellogg stated that his mission was to listen. Zelensky, in turn, reiterated his commitment to working with both the U.S. and Europe toward securing a lasting peace.
“Together with America and Europe, peace can be more secure—that is our goal,” Zelensky said. “Success unites us. Our unity is the strongest safeguard of our future. A future without [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, but with peace.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later confirmed discussions with Kellogg on how to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Ukrainians Rally Around Zelensky
Trump’s accusation that Zelensky is a dictator centers on Ukraine’s failure to hold elections due to martial law, which was imposed on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Under martial law, elections are prohibited, as the government maintains emergency powers for the war effort. Zelensky, who took office in 2019, would have completed his term in May 2024 under normal circumstances.
Trump’s remarks prompted mixed reactions among Ukraine’s political opposition. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko defended Zelensky’s legitimacy, stating that he remains Ukraine’s rightful leader until elections can be held. She called it “impossible and immoral” to hold elections during wartime, as military personnel would be unable to participate.
“Only Ukrainians have the right to decide when and under what conditions they change their government. Today, those conditions do not exist!” she wrote on Facebook.
Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former army chief and current ambassador to London, echoed this sentiment, asserting that winning the war must take priority over elections.
However, former President Petro Poroshenko, a longtime rival of Zelensky, remained silent on Trump’s remarks after the Ukrainian government imposed sanctions on him last week—a move he described as harmful to national unity. Iryna Herashchenko, a lawmaker from Poroshenko’s party, called for a government of national unity and urged Zelensky to halt what she described as “political repression against those he does not like.”
Meanwhile, Serhii Prytula, a prominent charity leader and potential future presidential candidate, sought to reassure Ukrainians amid the political storm.
“Remember that here in Ukraine, only we—the people of Ukraine—determine who is a dictator and who is not,” he wrote on X.
