Zelensky is a Dictator?

Jake Ewer

Staff Writer

Ukraine and Russia will look to hold potential peace talks in the coming weeks as the two nations look to end the three-year war. The talks will be held in Saudi Arabia and will look to have both sides end strikes at civilian infrastructure and use that as a base for larger concessions.

Since the 2022 invasion, the heads of state of Russia and America had only spoken through proxies, but on Feb. 12, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladamir Putin exchanged words in an hour-long phone call discussing the war. The call was condemned by leaders in Europe as well as democrat lawmakers.

A cease fire has been a priority of the Trump administration from the campaign trail and since taking office in January, the White House has attempted to get both sides together to negotiate.

On Feb. 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio led an American delegation to Saudi Arabia to discuss peace terms with a Russian delegation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was critical of these talks being held especially without Ukraine, since they are a side in the war.

Responding to this criticism, Trump attacked Zelensky from his Truth Social account, calling him a “dictator” and that he “has done a terrible job.” These comments were condemned by Senator Bernie Sanders, who on X stated, “Trump and his American oligarchs are now openly aligning themselves with Putin and his Russian oligarchs”

Following this exchange, Zelensky held a state visit to the White House on Feb. 28. The visit ended early after Trump repeatedly criticized Zelensky. According to AP News, Trump told Zelensky that he was “gambling with World War 3,” and refused to let him respond.

Shortly after, Zelensky left the White House and canceled a press lunch. Then, the U.S. stopped sharing material and informational aid with Ukraine. However, it did resume on Mar. 11 after Ukraine expressed willingness to accept a short 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the White House.

On the morning of Mar. 18, Trump and Putin held a phone call to discuss this proposed cease-fire. The proposed plan would pause fighting for 30 days and be a base for a larger peace settlement to end the three year long War.

Ukraine’s concessions for a lasting peace include protections for territorial integrity, no limits on alliances, and the exchange of prisoners of war and thousands of children abducted by Russia.

Russia’s stated goals are all sanctions imposed on its halted, international recognition for all territory seized from Ukraine since 2014, and for Ukraine to remove its army from the border, scale back its military’s size, and for it to never join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

It is unknown whether either nation can trust the other to keep a peace deal if one is made,  especially after the repeated disregard of treaties, lengthy list of demands, and blatant aggression by Russia.