In recent comments that surprised U.S. allies in Europe and angered Ukraine, President Trump appeared to attribute blame to Ukraine's leadership for Russia's invasion. He suggested they do not warrant participation in peace talks with President Vladimir Putin.
Trump stated, "You should have never started it," referring to Ukraine's leaders and claiming they could have negotiated a deal. He further criticized Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a "dictator without elections" and asserting he had "done a terrible job" in office.
The conflict began when Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago, aiming to overthrow Zelensky's pro-Western government. This invasion initiated the largest conflict in Europe since World War II, leading to widespread condemnation from global leaders and the United Nations, which called for Russia's immediate withdrawal.
Ukraine has faced devastating losses, with over 12,000 civilians killed and extensive destruction across cities. While Russia occupies around 20 percent of Ukraine, it has struggled to achieve its primary military objectives, particularly in breaking Ukraine's defenses.
Following the invasion, peace talks occurred but did not yield a cease-fire agreement. Ukraine has sought international support for a 10-point peace proposal that includes the full withdrawal of Russian troops and demands for accountability for war crimes.
Recently, discussions regarding peace have intensified since Trump's inauguration. He had a conversation with Putin that raised concerns in Ukraine, indicating that the two leaders may negotiate Ukraine's future without Ukrainian representation, contrary to the previous U.S. stance that Ukraine would determine its own conditions for peace.
In a meeting where Zelensky was not present, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov agreed to work on a peace plan, prompting criticism from Zelensky, who asserted that Ukraine would not accept any agreement without representation.
Ukraine's elections, originally scheduled for 2024, have been postponed due to martial law imposed after the invasion. Trump questioned Zelensky's legitimacy, suggesting the necessity of elections for a seat at the negotiating table. Despite declining approval ratings, Zelensky's current support remains around 50 percent.
Election experts caution that any vote held during wartime could disenfranchise significant portions of the population, including those in Russian-occupied territories and military personnel. Moreover, rising internal political tensions surround the prolonged use of martial law, with criticisms from officials regarding the president's exercise of power amid the ongoing conflict.