Trump Increasingly Threatens Zelenskyy, Has the US Fallen for Putin's Bait?

WASHINGTON, THURSDAY - The President of the United States (US) has become increasingly outspoken in criticizing and threatening Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia's position is increasingly advantageous, while Europe is left scrambling with the latest developments in the Ukraine-Russia war.

While referring to Zelenskyy as a dictator without elections, Trump warned that Zelenskyy must move quickly to achieve peace or risk losing his country.

"A dictator without an election, Zelenskyy should move quickly or he will no longer have a country," Trump wrote in his post, Wednesday (19/2/2025) local time or Thursday Indonesian time.

The threat was issued by Trump just a day after he blamed Ukraine for the ongoing war with Russia that has not ended since 2022.

"Today I heard, 'oh, we were not invited.' Well, you have been there for three years, you should never have started it. You could have made a deal," he said, referring to Zelenskyy during a press conference at his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

Trump expressed great disappointment with Ukraine. According to him, even a half-baked negotiator should have been able to resolve the conflict years ago without significant territorial losses.

Zelenskyy responded to Trump's statement by saying that the US president is trapped in a bubble of Russian disinformation. Trump's statement was considered to be in line with Russia's statements when it began its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He hopes that Trump's team will see more accurate information about Ukraine.

According to Zelenskyy, he is now relying on European unity and courage, as well as pragmatism and a constructive approach in relations with the US. "We stand firmly on our own two feet. I am relying on Ukrainian unity, on our courage, on European unity and American pragmatism. Because America needs success as much as we do," he said in a speech on Wednesday night.

He said he would meet with the U.S. envoy to Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, on Thursday, a meeting he called "very important and constructive" along with the overall cooperation with the U.S.

"Together with America and Europe, peace can be more assured and this is our goal. Success unites us. Our unity is the strongest protection for our future. A future without Putin, but with peace," he said.

Upon arriving in Kyiv, Kellogg said he understood the need for security assurances. He added that part of his mission was to sit down and listen.

Less than a month into his presidency, Trump has changed US policy on the Ukraine-Russia war. He ended the policy of isolating Russia and spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone.

Senior US and Russian officials then held a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, excluding Ukraine and ignoring its European allies. Trump and Putin are scheduled to meet later.

Trump said Zelenskyy could negotiate with Russia in Saudi Arabia if he wanted to. He hopes a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will happen soon.

In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said no one can force his country to surrender. "We will defend our right to exist," Sybiha told X.

We will defend our right to live.

Zelenskyy's term was supposed to end in 2024. However, Ukraine's presidential and parliamentary elections, which are supposed to be held every five years, could not be held due to the state of martial law imposed by Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Russia has already seized about 20 percent of Ukraine. Slowly but surely, Russia is gaining more territory in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow says its special military operation in Ukraine is a response to the existential threat posed by Kyiv's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Ukraine and the West have called Russia's actions an imperialist land grab.

According to Zelenskyy, Trump's statement that Ukraine's approval rating for his policies is only 4 percent is disinformation from Russia. "We have evidence that these numbers are being discussed between America and Russia. That is, President Trump, unfortunately, lives in this space of disinformation," Zelenskyy told Ukrainian TV.

The latest poll from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, from early February, found 57 percent of Ukrainians trust Zelenskyy.

Since Trump took office, Putin has seemed to be constantly trying to please him. Not only through flattering comments, Putin also released a US citizen who was arrested by Russia in 2011, Marc Fogel. He was released on February 11, 2025, a few days before the US-Russia meeting in Riyadh.

Putin, however, has shown no willingness to compromise. His basic demands remain unchanged. Among them are that Ukraine not side with Europe and NATO, Ukrainian forces be limited in number and equipment, and Ukraine not host Western troops.

He also still insists on recognition that Crimea and four Ukrainian provinces annexed by Russia are part of Russia.

Putin also stuck to his demands outlined in the June 2024 proposal. “The essence of our proposal is not a temporary ceasefire or a ceasefire that would leave sanctions in place and allow Ukraine to rearm,” he said.

Instead, Putin wants a definitive resolution that would lift the Western embargo on Russia and allow the country to rebuild its defenses. Three years of war have depleted Russia's weapons stockpile. The Russian economy is also in critical condition.

Trump has a promise waiting to be fulfilled. Since the campaign he has boasted that he can stop the Ukraine-Russia war in a day.

Trump said he would probably meet Putin in the next few weeks.

In Moscow, Putin said Ukraine would not be deterred from peace talks, but success would depend on building trust between Moscow and Washington. Putin also said it would take time to prepare for a summit with Trump.

"We need to make sure our teams prepare on issues that are of great importance to the United States and Russia, including, but not only, Ukraine, to reach a solution that is acceptable to both sides," Putin said in a televised statement.

Some of Trump's fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate say Trump needs space to work on a peace deal. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has long supported Ukraine.

Following Trump's latest attacks, Zelenskyy discussed approaches to a peaceful settlement with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Starmer expressed his support for Zelenskyy as Ukraine's democratically elected leader, saying it was normal for Ukraine's elections to be postponed during a time of war.

Macron and Starmer are scheduled to travel to Washington, US next week to meet Trump, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said.

The 27-nation European Union approved its 16th package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, including on aluminum and ships believed to be carrying Russian oil that has already been sanctioned.

Trump said Europe must step up to secure any ceasefire deal. (AP/AFP/Reuters)