Inside the 48 Hours When Trump Turned on Zelensky
Inside the 48 Hours When Trump Turned Against Zelensky
By Kevin Liptak, Jeff Zeleny, and Alayna Treene, CNN
Published: 12:00 AM EST, Thu February 20, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former President Donald Trump launched a series of public attacks against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, raising questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine and the potential impact on peace negotiations.
Trump accused Zelensky of being a “dictator without elections” and blamed him for pressuring the U.S. into spending billions on an “unwinnable war.” These remarks, delivered through Trump’s social media platform and later echoed in a speech in Miami, mirrored Kremlin rhetoric and marked a sharp shift in his stance toward Ukraine’s leadership.
For years, Trump had been skeptical of Zelensky, dating back to his first impeachment over pressuring Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. However, his latest remarks signaled a deeper rupture, especially as his aides closely monitored Zelensky’s criticism of the U.S. for excluding Ukraine from recent negotiations with Russian officials.
Zelensky, for his part, dismissed Trump’s accusations, stating that the former president was operating in a “web of disinformation.” The exchange intensified speculation over Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly as he prepares for potential direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia.
While some Trump allies suggested his comments were part of a broader strategy to pressure European nations into increasing their support for Ukraine, others worried that his rhetoric could embolden Russia and weaken Western unity. Meanwhile, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reaffirmed their support for Zelensky and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
As Trump positions himself as a peacemaker, the question remains: Will his confrontational stance push Ukraine toward a settlement, or will it further fracture alliances and strengthen Moscow’s hand?
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