President Donald Trump appeared to walk back his recent sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he previously labeled a “dictator,” as the U.S. works to mediate an end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
When pressed by a reporter on Thursday about whether he still believed Zelensky was a dictator, Trump responded with apparent surprise.
“Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that,” he remarked during a joint press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before quickly shifting to another question.
Trump’s comments signal a shift from his previous stance. Last week, he accused Zelensky of being a “dictator without elections” on Truth Social, referencing Ukraine’s decision to forgo its 2024 presidential election due to martial law. The law has been in effect since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In the same post, Trump also criticized Zelensky’s leadership, claiming he was “very low in Ukrainian polls” and had manipulated President Joe Biden into providing extensive aid.
Trump’s statements sparked controversy, particularly his suggestion that Ukraine, rather than Russia, bore responsibility for the war—an assertion he later walked back, acknowledging that Russia was indeed the aggressor.
Shifting Tone on Ukraine
Despite his previous remarks, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone on Thursday, emphasizing his administration’s willingness to work with Zelensky.
“We want to work with him, President Zelensky, and we will work with him,” Trump told reporters. “I think the president and I actually have had a very good relationship.”
The softened rhetoric comes as Trump prepares to meet Zelensky at the White House on Friday. The Ukrainian leader is expected to finalize an agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for security assurances against future Russian aggression.
“I think we’re going to have a very good meeting tomorrow morning. We’re going to get along really well,” Trump said. “We have a lot of respect. I have a lot of respect for him.”
While Trump acknowledged the substantial U.S. financial and military aid provided to Ukraine, he suggested that European nations had been more strategic in their contributions, claiming they had received financial returns while the U.S. had not. Starmer corrected him, clarifying that most U.K. aid had been “gifted” rather than loaned—an assertion echoed earlier in the week by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Peace Negotiations with Russia
Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a key priority, initiating peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. The former president has repeatedly touted his strong relationships with both Putin and Zelensky, despite past tensions.
When asked whether he believes Putin can be trusted, Trump expressed cautious optimism.
“Trust and verify, let’s call it that,” he said. “You have to verify, because you never know what’s going to happen.”
While details of the U.S.-Russia negotiations remain unclear, European Union leaders are preparing to host a summit next week to discuss a new military aid package for Ukraine. The U.S. and EU were notably excluded from the early stages of talks between Russia and Ukraine, an omission that has sparked concerns among Western allies.
A Strategic Reset?
Trump’s shift in tone regarding Zelensky appears to reflect a broader strategic realignment as his administration navigates the complexities of the war. His reluctance to apologize for his “dictator” remark suggests he is unwilling to fully walk back his earlier criticisms, even as he seeks to rebuild diplomatic ties with Ukraine’s leadership.
