Ukraine defends Zelensky as Trump’s remarks spark backlash
Ukrainian officials have defended President Volodymyr Zelensky after US President Donald Trump called for him to leave office, prompting sharply differing reactions from Moscow and European politicians.
Kyiv defends Zelensky’s legitimacy
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha defended Zelensky’s legitimacy, saying the president was leading the country through a war for independence, freedom and dignity, according to German broadcaster DW.
“He enjoys the support of the Ukrainian people, and they are the ones entitled to decide,” Sybiha said.
The foreign minister added that criticism from abroad reinforced, rather than undermined, the view that Zelensky was performing his duties effectively. He also said the Ukrainian president deserved support.
Moscow welcomes Trump’s position
Kirill Dmitriev, a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, described Trump’s remarks as “landmark and historic.”
Dmitriev argued that the US president was aligning himself with those who believed Ukraine needed leadership focused on peace. He contrasted that position with what he characterised as Zelensky’s bellicose approach.
European reactions reveal political divisions
British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham reaffirmed his “full solidarity” with Ukraine during a telephone conversation with Zelensky, according to the British government’s office.
The statement was released shortly after Trump’s remarks. It remained unclear whether the two leaders had discussed the US president’s comments directly.
In Germany, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Karin Prien was the first member of the government to comment on the controversy.
“Over a few litres of diesel. What a moral failure,” she wrote on X, criticising the US president’s remarks.
German far-right politician backs Trump
Maximilian Krah, a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, expressed support for Trump’s position.
Krah argued that reaching a peace agreement with Zelensky would be impossible and claimed the Ukrainian president benefited from the continuation of the war.
“There will be no peace with Zelensky. He benefits greatly from the war,” the German lawmaker wrote.
He also pointed to Ukraine’s suspension of presidential elections under martial law, questioning whether Zelensky was willing to accept a compromise.
The reactions underscore divisions over Ukraine’s political leadership and the prospects for a negotiated end to the war. While Kyiv insists that Ukrainians alone have the right to choose their leaders, Russian representatives and European politicians have interpreted Trump’s position in markedly different ways.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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