Nigeria: Trump calls Zelenskiy a “dictator” and warns him to move fast
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
U.S. President Donald Trump has denounced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as a “dictator” and warned him that he needs to move quickly to secure peace or risk losing his country. This statement has deepened the feud between the two leaders and has alarmed European officials.
Trump’s comments came after Zelenskiy accused him of being trapped in Russian disinformation. Trump claimed that Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s 2022 invasion. The Ukrainian leader rejected Trump’s assertion that his approval rating was just 4% as Russian disinformation.
The U.S. President’s remarks have been met with criticism from European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Trump’s comments as “false and dangerous.” Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles rejected Trump’s assertions about Ukraine, stating that Russia was the aggressor in the conflict.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Trump’s comments, saying that no one could force Ukraine to give in. “We will defend our right to exist,” Sybiha said.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in 2025, with Russia launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The situation has resulted in significant human suffering, with thousands of people killed or injured, and millions displaced.
