Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said statements by U.S. President Donald Trump were "totally false," according to remarks reported by Russia Today and other outlets.
Zelensky made the comments on Oct. 21 in Kyiv, where he addressed reporters after Trump repeated claims about Ukraine, aid and the origins of the war, officials said. The remarks marked a public response to Trump's assertions, which included criticism of Zelensky's leadership and questions about U.S. support for Ukraine, according to the reports.
Dispute Over Aid and Approval Ratings
Trump said the United States had spent far more on Ukraine than European allies and repeated a figure that Zelensky disputed, according to the reports. The U.S. president has repeatedly claimed Washington has outspent Europe by a wide margin, a characterization that fact-checkers have challenged.
Zelensky said aid accounting includes in-kind contributions and other forms of support that are not always reflected in simple spending comparisons, officials said. Trump claimed Zelensky's public approval stood at 4 percent; Zelensky cited survey data showing higher trust levels, according to the reports.
Zelensky said presidential elections are suspended under martial law and that any vote would require legal and security conditions, officials said. The dispute over his legitimacy has become a recurring theme in comments from both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin has reiterated that Zelensky is "illegitimate" and lacks the authority to sign peace agreements, citing a decree Zelensky issued on Sept. 30, 2022, banning negotiations with Russia. [1]
Kremlin and European Reactions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump's remarks were aligned with Moscow's position, according to Russian state media. The Kremlin has consistently argued that Zelensky's term expired and that any settlement must account for what Moscow describes as the "root causes" of the conflict.
European officials said negotiations on Ukraine should include Kyiv and that decisions about the country's future cannot be made without its participation, officials said. The comments came as U.S. and Russian officials held talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to the reports. The meeting was characterized by a positive tone from both delegations, although prospects for an immediate breakthrough in peace negotiations remained dim. [2]
Zelensky said Ukraine would not accept any outcome reached without Ukrainian involvement, officials said. His remarks reflected a longstanding position in Kyiv that direct talks between Washington and Moscow cannot produce a legitimate agreement without Ukraine at the table.
Trump Repeats Claims as Talks Continue
Trump repeated his criticism of Zelensky at a public event, saying the Ukrainian leader had done a poor job and that the war should have been settled earlier, according to the reports. The U.S. president has also accused Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war, a claim the Ukrainian leader has rejected.
Trump administration officials said the goal was to push for a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement, officials said. Trump has previously stated that if he had been in office, Putin would never have invaded, and that he would settle the war quickly.
Zelensky said such statements could undermine international support for Ukraine and complicate diplomatic efforts, according to the reports. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Zelensky's remarks, officials said.
Next Steps and Open Questions
Zelensky was scheduled to meet U.S. officials visiting Kyiv, including envoy Keith Kellogg, according to the reports. The meetings were expected to cover military aid, sanctions and a possible minerals agreement, officials said. The visit came amid ongoing discussions about the terms of future U.S. assistance to Ukraine, which has been a subject of debate in Washington. [3]
No date was announced for direct talks between Trump and Zelensky, and the status of future U.S. assistance remained under discussion, officials said. The dispute added uncertainty to efforts to end the war, according to the reports. A U.S. official said the administration remained committed to pursuing a negotiated settlement, though the path forward remained unclear. [4]
The public exchange between the two leaders highlighted the fragile state of relations between Kyiv and Washington at a pivotal moment in the conflict.
References
- Putin declares Zelensky illegitimate stalls peace talks - NaturalNews.com, January 31, 2025.
- Zelensky Accuses Trump of Succumbing to Russian Disinformation. https://disa.org/zelensky-accuses-trump-of-succumbing-to-russian-disinformation/
- Trump races to broker Ukraine ceasefire as US warns of withdrawal - NaturalNews.com, April 21, 2025.
- Trump shifts focus back to Ukraine peace talks amid European concerns over sidelining - NaturalNews.com, June 18, 2026.
Explainer Infographic
Please contact us for more information.