Mutual insults between Zelensky and Trump... What is the US plan for Russia? Is Europe preparing for war?

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

US President Donald Trump described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a 'dictator' and stated that he 'needs to act quickly' or else 'he will have no country left.' This statement from Trump came after Zelensky's accusation that he was 'trapped' inside Russia's 'disinformation bubble.' As the war of words between the two leaders reached the level of insults, European leaders warned that a crisis 'not seen for generations' is approaching. On the other hand, according to British experts, the US's goal may be less about supporting Putin and more about 'deploying the inflation weapon' and breaking China's growing influence in Russia.

Making statements on his social media account, Trump stated that the Ukrainian leader has 'done a very bad job' and accused Zelensky of taking advantage of the ongoing financial and military support from the US. The US President implied that Zelensky is more interested in prolonging the war than ending it. Trump, who described Zelensky as a 'moderately successful comedian,' noted that he ''convinced the US to spend 350 billion dollars to enter a war that cannot be won and should never have started.''

Threatening to bring the war to a conclusion in Russia's favor, Trump stated the following in a post on Truth Social:

''Zelensky, a dictator without elections, better act fast, or he won't have a country left. The only thing (Zelensky) was good at was playing Biden 'like a fiddle'.''

At a press conference in Kyiv, Zelensky emphasized that he wants Trump to 'tell the truth,' alleging that the US President is spreading ''a lot of disinformation coming from Russia,'' and stated the following:

''Unfortunately, as the leader of a nation we greatly respect, President Trump has become trapped inside this (Russian) disinformation bubble.''

Earlier in the day, Zelensky had called on the US to strengthen its alliances again. A few hours after this call, insults were exchanged between Trump and the Ukrainian leader

PUTIN IS PLEASED WITH THE RESULT

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Trump has begun to receive 'objective information' about the war in Ukraine, which has led him to 'change his position.' Putin shared that he would be happy to meet with Trump but that 'preparation is required' for such a meeting.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, Putin also expressed that he 'liked the results' of the Russia-US summit in Riyadh very much. The Russian leader announced that 'Russia and the US are cooperating on economic issues, energy markets, space, and other areas.'

TASS included the following statements from Putin in its report:

''Trump told me that Ukraine will participate in the negotiations... No one is excluding Ukraine from the talks aimed at ending the war.''

Russian President Vladimir Putin

TRUMP'S 'DICTATOR' ACCUSATION AGAINST ZELENSKY

In his statement on Truth Social, Trump repeated his accusations that Ukraine is responsible for the outbreak of the war. The US President claimed that Zelensky 'refused to hold elections' and that he ''has very low support rates in the polls in Ukraine.'' Claiming that Zelensky has a 4 percent support rate, Trump called for new elections to be held in Ukraine.

Responding to Trump's accusations, Zelensky said:

''We are talking about 4 percent, we have seen this disinformation (before), we understand that it comes from Russia.''

Zelensky reminded that he never comments on popularity polls. The Ukrainian leader argued that according to recent research, the majority of Ukrainians trust him. Zelensky also stated that any attempt to replace him while the war is ongoing would fail.

According to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) in February, support for Zelensky among Ukrainians rose from 52 percent to 57 percent compared to the previous month.

The British press claimed that Trump wants half of 'all economic resources' belonging to Ukraine. According to reports, the US wants to use not only Ukraine's mineral resources but 'everything in the country that has financial value as war reparations'

ZELENSKY: ''I WILL NOT SELL UKRAINE''

Zelensky also responded to Trump's comments that most of the support for Ukraine comes from the US. Noting that he is 'grateful for the support,' Zelensky added that he wants 'Trump and his team to have real information.' Contrary to Trump's 350 billion dollar claim, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine has received 67 billion dollars in weapons and 31.5 billion dollars in budget support from the US.

Head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov claimed in a statement on Wednesday that Zelensky's ratings are '4-5 percent' higher than Trump's. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that no one can force his country to surrender. In a message he shared on X, Sybiha wrote, 'We will defend our right to exist.'

Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk emphasized that Ukraine has not given up on elections and stated the following in a message shared on Facebook:

''Inventing 'democracy' under artillery fire is not democracy. It appears that the Kremlin is the one that will benefit from this. Ukraine needs bullets, not ballots.''

Addressing Trump's demand for Ukraine's critical minerals, Zelensky stated that he ''cannot sell Ukraine'' but is ready to work on a 'serious document' if it includes 'security guarantees.'

On Wednesday, Trump's Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders. Kellogg told reporters that they understand the need for security guarantees, stating that part of his mission would be to 'sit and listen.' Zelensky's statements also included a call for Kellogg to 'go and talk to ordinary Ukrainians about how Trump's comments are being received.'

President of the Kyiv School of Economics Tymofiy Mylovanov made the following assessment on Facebook:

''The conflict between Zelensky and Trump is growing. Trump used a similar tone in his attacks on Biden during the election... What does this mean for us? We are enduring and we will resist... And we are gathering behind the President (Zelensky) not as a person, but as an institution. We are a sovereign state. Who would have known that we would have to defend ourselves against the US?''

According to Trump's claim, 700 thousand Ukrainian and 850 thousand Russian soldiers have lost their lives in the Ukraine War

BALTIC COUNTRIES PREPARING FOR WAR

While Russia and the US discuss the future of Ukraine, Baltic countries are accelerating preparations for military conflict due to fears that Russia is preparing for a future war with NATO. Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service warned that Russia has expanded its armed forces to 'prepare for a possible future war with NATO.'

According to SVT's report, Danish intelligence shared the prediction that if Russia perceives NATO as weak, it could be ready to start a large-scale war in Europe within five years. According to Latvian intelligence, if Russia 'wins' in Ukraine, it could reach a military strength that could pose a significant threat to NATO within five years.

Director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies in Riga, Latvia, Dr. Maris Andzans, evaluated the possibility of conflict as follows:

''There is a feeling that even if the transatlantic bridge is not collapsing, it is seriously damaged. Biden traveled to Kyiv during the war, and now Trump is ready to travel to Moscow. Quite a big transformation.''

Professor Katarzyna Zysk from the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies shared the following view on the possibility of a war in the Baltics:

'However, the concern is that, especially if the war in Ukraine stops, Russia will focus on rebuilding its military organization.'

Announcing that Denmark needs 'large-scale rearmament' to avoid war, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that the country will spend 50 billion Danish Krone on defense over the next two years. Frederiksen noted that Denmark will 'immediately purchase things that can contribute to a stronger defense and stronger deterrence.'

The investment will ensure that Denmark's defense spending reaches 3 percent of GDP within the next two years (it was 2.4 percent in 2024). Frederiksen added that this figure would be 'the highest level seen in half a century.'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote the following on his X account as tensions between the US and Europe rise:

'We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. It is time for all of us to step up.'

Baltic countries ended energy imports from Russia at the beginning of February. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are building a joint defense line that will stretch along the borders of Belarus and Russia

UKRAINE WANTS TURKEY TO BE A MEDIATOR

Zelensky made a new statement via his X account. In his statement, the Ukrainian leader thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan again and made assessments regarding his relations with NATO.

Announcing that he met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Zelensky used the following expressions:

''I shared the details of my meeting with President Erdoğan, where we discussed Turkey's role in providing security guarantees (with Rutte). Ukraine needs broad representation from European countries, the UK, Turkey, and the US in this process.

Mark (Rutte) informed me about his meeting with General Kellogg. Their messages align with our goal of achieving not just a temporary ceasefire, but a guaranteed peace. Confidence must be established that Putin will not return with his war in a few months or years.

We also discussed our future cooperation with our partners (in the meeting) and coordinated our next steps. We cannot allow Putin to deceive everyone again. Before any potential negotiations, all partners must clearly understand that strong security guarantees are a priority for lasting peace.

Thank you for your support and help, Mark.''

CHATHAM HOUSE'S ECONOMIC WAR ANALYSIS

The UK-based think tank Chatham House published an analysis on Trump's economic policies and his stance against Russia and China. The analysis reported that Trump's commitment to increasing oil supply could lead to significantly harmful effects on Russia if it happens quickly.

Chatham House's analysis stated the following:

''The market is already prepared for the oil price to fall in 2025. If Trump works quickly to make lower prices a reality, Moscow will have a reason to worry. Considering Scott Bessent, whom Trump chose for the treasury, it is understood how quickly the US administration aims to increase oil production by 3 million barrels of oil per day.

The real issue is not Trump's ability to pressure Putin, but his willingness to do so. Trump's grand strategic goal is to 'break the union' between China and Russia. This looks like a repeat of Nixon's efforts in the 1970s to pull China away from the USSR. (Trump's) desire to pressure the Russian economy may be limited.

Therefore, the future of Ukraine largely depends on the degree to which Trump's desire to pressure Russia compares to his desire to prevail in the competition with China. The new administration should think carefully: Putin may be more afraid of inflation than of increased arms deliveries to Kyiv. And the US's inability to use its economic power in Ukraine negotiations could be seen as a weakness in Beijing.''

News Source: 12punto