Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sparked a wave of public support for Zelensky in Ukraine, with many citizens and officials rallying to defend their leader.
“We may love or hate Zelensky. We may criticize or praise him. But he is our president—that’s the reality,” wrote Borys Filatov, mayor of Dnipro, a central Ukrainian city, on February 19.
Filatov, a frequent critic of Zelensky, made the statement in response to Trump’s repeated attacks on the Ukrainian leader.
Trump’s Harsh Accusations Against Zelensky
During a February 18 press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump criticized Zelensky for complaining about Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia regarding the ongoing war.
Trump went further, blaming Ukraine for starting the war, questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy by citing delayed elections, and claiming Zelensky’s approval rating had plummeted to “just 4%.”
However, a February 19 poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that 57% of Ukrainians trust Zelensky, a five-point increase from December 2023.
A day after his remarks, Trump doubled down, calling Zelensky an “unelected dictator” in a post on Truth Social.
The comments shocked both Ukraine and Europe, where Zelensky has been widely praised for leading his country through nearly three years of war. French government spokeswoman Sophie Primas called Trump’s attack “bizarre and difficult to understand.”
“We really don’t get what the Americans are thinking,” she said.
Ukrainians Reject Trump’s Criticism
Yaroslav Zheleznyak, an opposition Holos Party lawmaker in Ukraine, wrote on Telegram that only Ukrainians have the right to judge their president.
“When a foreigner insults Zelensky, they are not just attacking an individual, but the President of Ukraine,” Zheleznyak stated.
Popular Ukrainian blogger Anton Hodzam called for unity, urging citizens to stand by “their elected president, who refuses to surrender and is fighting to protect the country.”
Nataliia Klymyuk, 51, who has volunteered for 11 years at a memorial site in Kyiv honoring war victims, said she was shocked by Trump’s harsh words toward Ukraine and Zelensky.
“Trump has shown sympathy for Putin before, and I don’t believe he suddenly wants to be our friend. He is just looking out for himself, at Zelensky’s expense,” Klymyuk said.
Marina Ivashyna, 30, from Kyiv, lost her father to the war, while her husband is missing in action. She broke down in tears while discussing the U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, where neither Ukraine nor European allies were invited.
“It’s hard for me. I don’t believe anything good will come of this. I don’t trust these negotiations,” she said.
Fear of a U.S.-Russia Reset
Many Ukrainians share Klymyuk and Ivashyna’s fears, as Washington and Moscow appear to be resetting their relationship at an alarming pace—potentially at Ukraine’s expense.
When Trump won the U.S. election in December, many Ukrainians hoped he would be tougher on Russia than President Joe Biden, who was often seen as indecisive.
“Many Ukrainians believed Trump would force Russia to end the war. But reality is crushing those hopes,” said Ukrainian political analyst Oleh Saakyan.
He emphasized that Ukrainians value their freedom of choice above all else.
“Trump is taking that away by telling Ukraine when it must hold elections. That’s why people are furious,” Saakyan added.
Ukraine’s Parliament Rejects Trump’s Election Demands
Ukraine’s parliament—including opposition parties—has agreed not to hold a presidential election while martial law remains in effect. Although Zelensky’s official term ended in May 2024, he is still recognized as Ukraine’s legitimate leader due to the ongoing war.
Yulia Hrebnyeva, a Chernihiv city council member, said she "completely fails to understand" Trump’s latest remarks, which echo Russian propaganda questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy.
Even Zelensky’s critics have pushed back against Trump’s comments.
Oleksandr Notevskyi, a political analyst at Ukraine’s Center for Policy Development, accused Trump of meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs.
“I want Zelensky to be replaced, but only Ukrainians can decide when that happens,” Notevskyi said.
He argued that Trump’s attack wasn’t just against Zelensky but against Ukraine’s entire government and sovereignty.
“One of Ukraine’s greatest strengths is its ability to unite under pressure. No one can dictate our choices,” Notevskyi added.
Trump’s Attack May Backfire
For Zelensky, Trump’s harsh words may ironically boost his domestic support, especially after recent political struggles, including his controversial sanctions against former President Petro Poroshenko, his main political rival.
Filmmaker and commentator Oleksandr Zinchenko predicted that Trump’s comments would drive Ukrainians back to Zelensky, just as they did when Russia invaded in February 2022.
“After Trump’s attack, Zelensky’s approval will shoot back up to 90%—just like it was on February 24, 2022,” Zinchenko wrote on Facebook.
Ukraine’s Soldiers Reject Trump’s Remarks
Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines are also closely watching Trump’s comments. Many have expressed anger and frustration.
A 36-year-old special forces soldier, using the codename “Cap”, said Ukraine should not rely on Trump.
“He only says what he wants to hear,” Cap said. “Every time Ukrainian soldiers hear Trump speak, they feel uneasy.”
A soldier from Ukraine’s 82nd Brigade, who asked to remain anonymous, insisted that Trump’s words would not affect their mission.
“The brigade’s goal is to reclaim Ukrainian territory and defend our country. We will continue doing that—no matter what Trump says.”
Ukrainian Leaders: Dialogue with the U.S. Must Continue
Despite the backlash, Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Oleksandr Merezhko stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue with Washington, even as Trump’s rhetoric becomes more hostile.
“The situation is difficult, but not hopeless,” Merezhko said. “Even Trump himself has given us advice in moments like this: ‘Never give up!’”
As tensions between Ukraine and the U.S. continue to simmer, Trump’s latest remarks have only strengthened Ukraine’s resolve—both on the battlefield and in politics.
(Sources: Washington Post, AFP, Reuters)
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