Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation, responding to Trump’s claims about his approval ratings.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky dismissed Trump’s assertion that his popularity had plummeted to four percent, attributing the figure to Russian propaganda.
“Unfortunately, President Trump, for whom we have great respect as leader of the American people… lives in this disinformation space,” Zelensky said, emphasizing that Moscow was misleading the former U.S. president.
A recent telephone poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, surveying 1,000 people, showed that 57 percent of respondents trusted Zelensky, while 37 percent did not, and the rest were undecided.
Zelensky said he would present the data to Trump’s team, stressing the importance of conveying accurate information to the new U.S. administration.
Criticism of U.S. Engagement with Russia
Zelensky also criticized Washington for its recent diplomatic outreach to Russia, arguing that the U.S. had helped end President Vladimir Putin’s international isolation. His remarks followed a meeting in Saudi Arabia between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov—their first in-person talks since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
“I believe that the United States helped Putin to break out of years of isolation,” Zelensky said, warning that such diplomatic overtures were not in Ukraine’s favor.
“All of this has no positive impact on Ukraine,” he added, expressing frustration over the potential shift in U.S.-Russia relations.
Call for Security Guarantees and Ceasefire
Despite his criticism, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to securing firm security guarantees from its Western allies, which he said were crucial for ending the war.
“We want security guarantees this year because we want to end the war this year,” he stated, signaling Ukraine’s push for a resolution in 2025.
As Ukraine continues to rely on Western military and financial support, Zelensky’s comments highlight growing concerns over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy and their implications for Kyiv’s fight against Russian aggression.
