Trump Critiques Zelensky, Suggests Peace Talks in Riyadh

Washington, Feb 20 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting that he has performed a “poor job” and had the opportunity to participate in peace negotiations with Russia in Saudi Arabia if he had chosen to do so.

Trump made these remarks during a press conference shortly after labeling Zelensky a “dictator” on social media.

“A Dictator without Elections, Zelensky better act swiftly or he might not have a country left,” Trump tweeted.

Significantly, President Zelensky was not present at the meeting and later expressed that his country would not accept any resolution to the conflict since it was excluded from discussions aimed at resolving it.

The US has officially initiated a sequence of negotiations with Russia to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

During a press conference at his residence in Florida, Trump reiterated, “Russia wants to do something. They desire to halt the barbarism occurring there. Thousands of soldiers are being killed weekly. Besides Russian and Ukrainian forces, many Koreans have also lost their lives. We want to conclude this senseless war. It should have never taken place.”

He also held Ukrainian President Zelensky accountable for instigating the three-year-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump remarked, “Today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren't invited.’ Well, you have been involved for three years. You should have resolved it three years ago. You should never have initiated it. You could have struck a deal.”

Trump, who aims to bring the fighting to a close under terms that Kyiv deems excessively favorable to Moscow, utilized an extended post on his Truth Social platform to criticize Zelensky and label him a “dictator without elections”.

“Consider this, a modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, convinced the United States of America to spend $350 Billion Dollars to engage in a war that could not be won, a war that should never have started, and a war that he, without the US and ‘TRUMP’, will never be able to resolve,” Trump expressed regarding Zelensky, who was a well-known television star in Ukraine before his political career.

As per the US special inspector general overseeing American support for Ukraine, the US has committed approximately $183 billion since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

While Ukraine asserts it has been excluded from negotiations, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that it will play a vital role in any decisions made concerning the conflict-stricken territory.

Rubio, as reported by the media, stated, “No one is being sidelined here. Clearly, there will be engagement and consultation with Ukraine, our European partners, and others. However, ultimately, the Russian side will be essential to this effort.”