Wed Feb 19 12:49:10 UTC 2025: ## Trump and Zelenskyy Trade Barbs Amidst US-Russia Peace Talks

**Kyiv, Ukraine – February 19, 2025** – Relations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump have sharply deteriorated, with both leaders exchanging harsh accusations amidst ongoing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelenskyy accused Trump of operating within a “Russian-made disinformation space,” citing false claims made by Trump that Kyiv was responsible for starting the war. Trump, in turn, labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections,” a “modestly successful comedian,” and criticized him for allegedly manipulating the US into spending $350 billion on the conflict. Trump further suggested Ukraine should hold elections and implied that Zelenskyy’s approval rating is only 4%.

The escalating rhetoric marks a significant shift from the strong US-Ukraine alliance under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden. The Trump administration, in contrast, has pursued a new approach, engaging in talks with Russia to negotiate a peace deal. Senior officials from both countries met on February 18th to discuss improving ties and potentially arranging a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin welcomed the US-Russia talks, describing the US delegation as “completely different people who were open to the negotiation process,” and expressed a desire to meet with Trump, although acknowledging that a Ukrainian settlement might take longer than initially anticipated. He dismissed Zelenskyy’s concerns about Ukraine’s exclusion from the talks, asserting that Kyiv would be involved in any future negotiations. Putin also expressed surprise at Trump’s restraint towards European leaders who supported Trump’s rival in the US election.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, expressed hope that the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, would assess Ukrainian public opinion regarding the situation and the leaders involved. He also refuted Trump’s claim of US dominance in aid provision, stating that Ukraine’s domestic weapons production constitutes 34% of its arsenal, with over 30% of support originating from Europe.

The ongoing conflict continues to favor Russia on the battlefield, with Ukrainian forces slowly retreating in eastern areas. US officials have indicated that Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO after a potential peace agreement are unlikely. Zelenskyy emphasizes the need for continued US security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression. Kellogg confirmed the US understands the importance of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence and pledged to convey his findings to the Trump administration. Russian state media, meanwhile, celebrated Trump’s harsh stance toward Zelenskyy.

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