Former U.S. President Donald Trump launched sharp new criticism against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war.
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These remarks add to a series of pointed statements Trump has made regarding both Zelensky and former President Joe Biden.
While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump strongly criticized the way both Zelensky and Biden managed the conflict, stating:
"This war should never have started. Biden could have stopped it. Zelensky could have stopped it. And Putin shouldn’t have started it. Everyone bears responsibility."
Trump also took a swipe at Zelensky personally, questioning his competence:
“It was a tough session with that guy — he kept asking for more and more.”
These latest comments come just over a month after a televised debate between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, during which Trump accused Zelensky of taking advantage of the crisis.
Earlier on Monday, Trump also launched a scathing attack on social media against both Biden and Zelensky, saying they had done a "terrible job" by allowing this “farce” to unfold.
His remarks also followed a deadly Russian missile strike on Sunday in Sumy, Ukraine, which killed at least 35 people and injured over 100. Commenting on the attack from aboard Air Force One, Trump said:
“I was told it was a mistake. I think it's terrible. The whole war is terrible.”
Other members of Trump’s team also weighed in. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, said on X (formerly Twitter):
“This goes beyond any sense of decency. As a former military commander, I understand targeting — but this was wrong. That’s why President Trump is working so hard to end this war.”
On Sunday, Zelensky accused Vice President J.D. Vance of "justifying" Russia's invasion during a CBS 60 Minutes interview. He also invited Trump to visit Ukraine to witness the devastation firsthand.
In response, Vance said Zelensky’s comments reflected the deteriorating relationship between Kyiv and the White House. His press secretary, Taylor Van Kirk, said:
“President Zelensky should focus on ending this conflict peacefully instead of misrepresenting Vice President Vance’s views.”
Trump also criticized the CBS interview with Zelensky — without naming him directly — in a post on Truth Social, calling the network “dishonest political operatives” and suggesting their broadcast license should be revoked. Trump is suing CBS for $20 billion over a past interview with his 2024 rival, then–Vice President Kamala Harris.
