By Sarah Baafi
President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator” and urging him to move quickly on negotiating a deal to end the war with Russia.
Trump’s comments, made on Truth Social, implied that Ukraine risks losing its sovereignty if Zelenskyy does not act swiftly.
The remarks come after Zelenskyy accused Trump of living in a “disinformation space” influenced by Moscow, further straining their already tense relationship.
The backlash to Trump’s comments has been swift, with European leaders defending Zelenskyy’s democratic legitimacy. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the “dictator” label, pointing out that true authoritarian regimes exist in Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian officials also dismissed Trump’s remarks, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
The controversy coincides with growing scrutiny over Russia’s recent presidential election, where Vladimir Putin secured another term amid allegations of irregularities.
In domestic news, Trump spoke at a tech conference in Miami, where he hinted that federal spending cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could result in taxpayer refunds.
While Trump touted these cuts as a win for fiscal responsibility, analysts warn that his broader economic policies, including proposed tax reductions, could significantly increase the federal deficit. Critics argue that these measures contradict the administration’s claims of pursuing a balanced budget.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has designated several Latin American cartels, including Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua, as “terrorist” organizations.
In a separate development, a U.S. judge has delayed ruling on the Justice Department’s request to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, prolonging uncertainty around the high-profile case.
