Unpacking Donald Trump’s Claims on the Ukraine War: A Comprehensive Fact-Check

Recently, former US President Donald Trump made headlines with comments regarding the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He seemed to shift the blame for the conflict onto Ukraine, echoing some narratives commonly heard in Russian media. This happened shortly after US officials met with Russian representatives in Riyadh to discuss resolution efforts, showing the complexity of international diplomacy in this crisis.

During a press briefing, Trump claimed that Ukraine had not taken steps to resolve the war, stating, “You should have never started it.” He implied that the war’s origins were rooted in Ukraine, a talking point often reiterated by Russian authorities. However, it’s important to clarify that Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This followed years of tensions, including Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 after Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was ousted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky swiftly responded to Trump’s remarks, accusing him of spreading disinformation. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine did not instigate the current conflict and noted Russia’s role in the ongoing violence.

Another claim made by Trump concerned Zelensky’s popularity. He asserted that Zelensky’s approval rating had plummeted to 4%. However, this figure lacks a reliable source; recent polls indicate that about 57% of Ukrainians still trust their president, although this is a decrease from previous years. The challenges of conducting accurate polling during wartime complicate understanding of public sentiment, especially given the massive displacement of the population.

On the topic of Ukraine’s electoral status, Trump highlighted that Ukraine has held no elections since Zelensky’s landslide victory in 2019. The ongoing martial law, declared in response to Russia’s actions, has suspended elections until the situation stabilizes. While many Ukrainians support postponing elections during the conflict, the call for legitimacy and democratic processes remains a contentious topic, especially as the war drags on.

Ultimately, Trump’s statements reflect broader discussions about accountability and democracy in wartime. Zelensky and his government maintain that prioritizing national security is essential and that holding elections under the current circumstances would be unwise. As tensions continue, the situation in Ukraine remains fluid, with many pressing questions about leadership, national unity, and the road ahead for the war-torn country.

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