Trump doubles down on Zelenskyy criticism, claims Ukraine’s leadership has “no cards” in war negotiations

Donald Trump pulled no punches in his ongoing feud with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ramping up his rhetoric during an appearance on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show. Trump slammed Zelenskyy’s handling of the Ukraine war, saying, “He has no cards,” implying that Zelenskyy had little leverage in negotiations. The former president emphasized his frustrations with the Ukrainian leader's efforts over the last three years, stating that they have been ineffective in preventing the destruction of Ukraine. According to Trump, despite Zelenskyy's repeated appearances at international meetings, nothing substantial has been accomplished.

“Nothing got done,” Trump added, signaling his belief that Zelenskyy’s continued presence at diplomatic talks wasn’t helping resolve the conflict. Instead, Trump hinted that more progress could have been made with different leadership at the negotiating table. He went as far as saying Zelenskyy “isn’t very important” to the talks, undermining his role in the international discourse around the war.

While Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s negotiation skills, he praised his own previous interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, he had “very good talks” with Putin, contrasting that with his “not such good talks” with Ukraine. Trump’s confidence in his ability to broker peace surfaced again when he suggested that peace talks are the only viable solution to end the war. “Millions of people are killed,” Trump lamented, stressing that there was a dire need to bring both sides to the table.

He also placed significant emphasis on his role in initiating dialogue, claiming that “if I wasn’t involved, they wouldn’t be talking to each other.” This line of reasoning—suggesting that his involvement in the peace process would be the key to its success—has raised eyebrows, as Trump appears to be positioning himself as the central figure in potential peace negotiations.

Trump’s remarks have not gone without opposition, even from members of his own party. Republican senators like John Kennedy of Louisiana and Thom Tillis of North Carolina firmly disagreed with Trump’s assessment that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war. Kennedy sharply criticized the White House for suggesting such a thing, asserting, “I think Vladimir Putin started the war. I also believe, through bitter experience, that Vladimir Putin is a gangster.”

Tillis also made it clear that Putin was the aggressor, not Ukraine, adding that “the invasion was the responsibility of one human being,” referring to the Russian president. These dissenting views within the Republican Party reflect the broader division over how to address the Ukraine crisis, particularly as Trump’s rhetoric increasingly sympathizes with Russia’s position.

As Trump continues to challenge Zelenskyy’s leadership and assert his own stance on the war, the debate over Ukraine’s future remains a volatile one — both internationally and within U.S. politics.


Trump’s continued criticism of Zelenskyy’s handling of the war and his unwavering support for his own diplomatic approach has left many questioning whether he’s positioning himself as a key player in any future peace negotiations. However, as tensions rise and his rhetoric becomes more divisive, only time will tell if his strategy will sway international opinion or alienate key allies, including those within his own party.