President Donald Trump recently seemed to walk back his previous comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, denying that he had ever referred to him as a “dictator.” The denial came after a recent remark he made at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, where he had called Zelensky a “dictator without elections.”
Trump, when questioned about the remark in the Oval Office, responded: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”
This statement contradicted a post Trump made on social media, which read: “A dictator without elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.” This language has been part of Trump’s broader efforts to push Zelensky toward signing a peace deal with Russia as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate.
Zelensky, who was democratically elected by the Ukrainian people, is set to visit the White House on Friday. In preparation for the meeting, Trump expressed his respect for the Ukrainian leader, emphasizing that the U.S. has provided significant military aid to Ukraine during the conflict. Trump remarked, “I have a lot of respect for him. We’ve given him a lot of equipment and a lot of money, but they have fought very bravely.”
During the meeting, Trump is expected to discuss a potential agreement involving Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. These minerals are crucial for the tech industry, and a senior Ukrainian official has indicated that the terms of a deal allowing the U.S. access to these resources have already been agreed upon. However, Zelensky referred to the agreement as a “framework,” suggesting that further talks are needed.
Despite the tense backdrop of the war, Trump described his relationship with Zelensky as mostly positive but acknowledged some challenges. “It may have gotten a little testy because we wanted a bit more from the Europeans,” Trump noted, alluding to the pressure on the European Union to step up its involvement in Ukraine’s security and recovery.
In related diplomatic developments, Trump is also in talks with European leaders. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have both agreed to send troops to Ukraine to enforce any peace deal. However, they have insisted on a U.S. “backstop” of supplies to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin does not launch further invasions. Trump has expressed a preference for Europe to provide this security framework rather than the U.S.
Before meeting Zelensky, Trump will sit down with Prime Minister Starmer. During their Oval Office meeting, Starmer presented Trump with a personal letter from King Charles inviting the president to a state visit to the UK. Trump, who has a long-standing admiration for the British royal family, responded positively, calling King Charles a “great, great gentleman.”
Trump’s upcoming visit to the UK would make him the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch. His previous state visit in 2019, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, was a historic occasion.
The diplomatic flurry continues, with Trump navigating complex international relations as he attempts to broker peace in Ukraine and balance the delicate dynamics of U.S.-European cooperation. As tensions remain high in Ukraine, all eyes will be on his meeting with Zelensky at the White House on Friday.