Zelensky is Already Calling Trump a Loser, But Not for the Reasons You Think

paparazzza / shutterstock.com
paparazzza / shutterstock.com

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed strong concerns about the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, suggesting that Trump’s approach to the Ukraine-Russia conflict could diminish America’s global leadership and possibly trigger a global conflict. In a candid interview with Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Zelensky questioned Trump’s intentions regarding the ongoing war, asking, “Does he want to become a loser president? Do you understand what can happen?”

Zelensky emphasized that any perceived appeasement of Moscow by the U.S. could set a dangerous precedent. “This is not about him [Trump], as a person but about the institutions of the United States. They will become very weak. The US will not be the leader of the world anymore,” he stated, adding that such a move would embolden other authoritarian regimes and could lead to “the beginning of what everyone is so afraid to talk about. This is reality. And this is the real third world war.”

The Ukrainian leader also made it clear that his country would not accept any peace deal that involves ceding territories such as the Eastern Donbas region or Crimea to Russia. He stressed that the Ukrainian people would reject any ultimatum that compromises their aspirations to join NATO or the European Union.

Despite the challenges, Zelensky remains firm on not engaging in direct negotiations with Moscow until the conditions of Ukraine’s 1991 borders are restored, and Russian forces withdraw from occupied regions. This stance comes amid a backdrop of intensified military actions by Russian forces and a lack of significant territorial gains by Ukraine in recent counteroffensives.

Former President Trump, who has hinted at a swift resolution to the conflict if re-elected, has not disclosed specific details of his plan. However, his ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, suggested that Trump might cut off aid to Ukraine to force a negotiation, stating, “That is why the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine cannot stand on its own feet.”

In his efforts to garner international support, Zelensky is also preparing to host a peace conference in Switzerland and has been actively engaging with Asian leaders. He has criticized China for its role in supporting Russia and obstructing peace negotiations.

Zelensky’s critique extends to the current U.S. administration as well. He expressed dissatisfaction with the level of military support from the U.S., particularly over the refusal to allow Ukraine to use American-made ATACMS missiles for strikes within Russia. “Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm, knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions,” he lamented.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, Zelensky’s comments underscore the complex dynamics at play and the high stakes involved in the resolution of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.