Zelenskyy lashes out at Trump over suggestion Ukraine started war, should hold elections again

[libertybele]

Zelenskyy lashes out at Trump over suggestion Ukraine started war, should hold elections again

Trump suggested that just as Zelenskyy wants a say in peace negotiations, the Ukrainian people might want a say in Kyiv.

American and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia Tuesday to get the ball rolling on ending the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made widely known his displeasure at not being invited to the discussions, canceling his trip to Riyadh and telling reporters, "Decisions on how to end the war in Ukraine cannot be made without Ukraine, nor can any conditions be imposed."

Hours after U.S. and Russian dignitaries agreed to appoint high-level teams to "begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible," President Donald Trump addressed Zelenskyy's complaint.

In addition to insinuating that Zelenskyy has proven himself incapable of doing what is needed in such talks and lacks the support of his people, Trump suggested that Ukraine started the war and should resume the practice of holding elections.

After suggesting that there has been little transparency about the hundreds of billions of dollars the U.S. has poured into Europe in recent years, Trump told reporters during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday, "I want to see peace. Look, you know why I want it? Because I don't want all these people killed any more. I'm looking at people that are being killed, and they're Russian and Ukrainian people — but they're people. It doesn't matter where they're from."

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"I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it's going very well," continued Trump. "But today I heard, 'Oh well, we weren't invited.' Well, you've been there for three years. You should have ended it three years [ago]."

The 47th president added that Ukraine provoked Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, stating, "You should have never started it."

According to Trump, Ukraine fumbled an opportunity to end the war — a possible allusion to the warring nations' peace talks in 2022 in Turkey, where negotiators reportedly produced multiple drafts of a treaty that would apparently have seen Ukraine's security guaranteed while also satisfying a number of Putin's demands, such as Ukraine's indefinite neutrality and inability to join NATO.

'That's not a Russia thing. That's something coming from me.'........................


https://www.conservativereview.com/zelenskyy-lashes-out-at-trump-over-suggestion-ukraine-started-war-should-hold-elections-again-2671182914.html

[Timber Rattler]

Well, it IS Zelensky's country that Trump is selling out to Putin.

[libertybele]

Well, it IS Zelensky's country that Trump is selling out to Putin.

??? Trump selling out Ukraine to Putin???  Gee, what would Z do without U.S. aid?

Zelenskyy imposed martial law awhile ago which has prevented Ukranians from another election.  As a result he likely will remain in place until this particular conflict between Russia and Ukraine is resolved.   Just sayin'.

[massadvj]

Well, it IS Zelensky's country that Trump is selling out to Putin.

But can he defend it without us? Trump can simply negotiate an end to American support, and Ukraine is toast. If Ukraine is so important to the Europeans, they should have been the first line of defense. Instead, we put American prestige on the line and after three years got nothing but a stalemate against a third-rate military power. Trump's election gives us a pretext for getting out with a little dignity.

Zelensky is a pimp who has utterly conned much of the American public, and engaged in massive corruption with our politicians. If he cannot stand for election, it is time he was put out of business.

[cato potatoe]

Does Putin have a compelling reason to end the conflict?  The western countries have made this adventure as costly as possible, so you have to think he would favor the option of grinding down what remains of the Ukrainian military and nabbing more territory.  He needs a decisive victory. 

Zelensky has lost touch with reality, is gradually losing support, and would be wise to cut his losses before Ukraine becomes an insignificant rump state. 

[Right_in_Virginia]

Zelensky is a pimp who has utterly conned much of the American public, and engaged in massive corruption with our politicians. If he cannot stand for election, it is time he was put out of business.

    Well said!

[libertybele]

But can he defend it without us? Trump can simply negotiate an end to American support, and Ukraine is toast. If Ukraine is so important to the Europeans, they should have been the first line of defense. Instead, we put American prestige on the line and after three years got nothing but a stalemate against a third-rate military power. Trump's election gives us a pretext for getting out with a little dignity.

Zelensky is a pimp who has utterly conned much of the American public, and engaged in massive corruption with our politicians. If he cannot stand for election, it is time he was put out of business.

   Amen!!

[libertybele]

Does Putin have a compelling reason to end the conflict?  The western countries have made this adventure as costly as possible, so you have to think he would favor the option of grinding down what remains of the Ukrainian military and nabbing more territory.  He needs a decisive victory. 

Zelensky has lost touch with reality, is gradually losing support, and would be wise to cut his losses before Ukraine becomes an insignificant rump state.

Zelenskyy cannot be trusted.  He has asked several times for more money from the U.S., and Biden more than happily handed it over to him only for Z to continue to ask for more and more and more.  Then he complains and smears those in the U.S. and is now lashing out at our new and very popular President!   

[Canuck Conservative]

So according to Pres. Trump's logic,

Every time a home invasion happens, it's the home-owner's fault, because he didn't negotiate peacefully with the criminals and give in to their demands ...

Got it.

[Hoodat]

Zelenskyy cannot be trusted.

Based on what, exactly?  Oh, that's right.  You have no basis for this claim.

[Timber Rattler]

??? Trump selling out Ukraine to Putin???  Gee, what would Z do without U.S. aid?

Zelenskyy imposed martial law awhile ago which has prevented Ukranians from another election.  As a result he likely will remain in place until this particular conflict between Russia and Ukraine is resolved.   Just sayin'.

Tis is complete horse crap.  The Ukrainian Parliament enabled and authorized the declaration of martial law, and constitutionally no elections can be held until martial law is lifted, which is up to the Parliament.

I'm getting really tired of continually having to explain this to willfully ignorant people.

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/how-ukraines-parliament-functions-during-wartime

[mystery-ak]

[Hoodat]

Tis is complete horse crap.  The Ukrainian Parliament enabled and authorized the declaration of martial law, and constitutionally no elections can be held until martial law is lifted, which is up to the Parliament.

I'm getting really tired of continually having to explain this to willfully ignorant people.

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/how-ukraines-parliament-functions-during-wartime

Here's the war timeline again:

1.  Zelenskiy announces to the world that there is no path into NATO for Ukraine.

2.  Putin publicly labels Ukrainians as "criminals" and "drug addicts".

3.  Putin invades Ukraine.

4.  Russian troops commit Holocaust-style massacres of Ukrainian civilians north of Kyiv.

[libertybele]

Tis is complete horse crap.  The Ukrainian Parliament enabled and authorized the declaration of martial law, and constitutionally no elections can be held until martial law is lifted, which is up to the Parliament.

I'm getting really tired of continually having to explain this to willfully ignorant people.

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/how-ukraines-parliament-functions-during-wartime

The Ukrainian Parliament -- ok --so -- and correct me for as you term it my  'ignorance' (thank you very much) then it is up to the Ukraine Parliament to decide when and IF another election can be held with Z in place? 

[DB]

So in Trump's view, Ukraine should have simply surrendered to Russia's aggression and let Russia own them - again. And that by resisting Russian aggression Zelenskyy is responsible for all the destruction and death that followed, never mind Ukraine also has a governing parliament.

What happened to Trump's "going to end it in 24 hours"... His surrendering from it isn't ending it. He's doing what Joe Biden did for Iran. Helping them recover when near collapse.

And that "big beautiful ocean" line is idiocy. Strange how that doesn't seem to apply to Iran. The possibility for major destruction is only hours away, ocean or no ocean.

[the OlLine Rebel]

There goes that bull in the China shop again.  Good God.

[DB]

There's a major storm brewing...

[Timber Rattler]

Zelensky is a pimp who has utterly conned much of the American public, and engaged in massive corruption with our politicians. If he cannot stand for election, it is time he was put out of business.

None of that is true.  He could have fled to safety when he was offered the chance but chose to stay and fight.  That ought to count for something.    And nobody has explained how a country can have a fair election when 20% of its territory is occupied by an invading foreign power, including a large part of its population.

You don't know anything about Zelensky at all.  Just speculation and asusmptions based on Kremlin propaganda.

[Timber Rattler]

The Ukrainian Parliament -- ok --so -- and correct me for as you term it my  'ignorance' (thank you very much) then it is up to the Ukraine Parliament to decide when and IF another election can be held with Z in place?

YES.  You do know that Ukraine has a functioning Parliament, right, just like Britain's?

[Timber Rattler]

There goes that bull in the China shop again.  Good God.

Trump's a moron when it comes to foreign policy.

[mystery-ak]

JD Vance warns Zelensky he will regret 'badmouthing' Trump and condemns his 'atrocious' response to peace talks

    J.D. Vance talked to the Daily Mail in his West Wing office on Wednesday

By ROB CRILLY, CHIEF U.S. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Published: 11:35 EST, 19 February 2025 | Updated: 12:59 EST, 19 February 2025

Vice President J.D. Vance on Wednesday warned the Ukrainian president against attacking President Donald Trump, saying that 'badmouthing' him in public would only backfire.

Vance spoke to DailyMail.com hours after Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky accused Trump of living in a Russian-made 'disinformation space.'

The extraordinary language on both sides comes at a critical time in the war between Ukraine and Russia, as Trump pushes for a speedy resolution.

'The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by badmouthing him in public media, everyone who knows the President will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,' said Vance during an exclusive interview in his West Wing office. 

At the same time, Trump weighed in with his own attack on Truth Social.

'A Dictator without Elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,' he wrote.

It marks an extraordinary breakdown in relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Vance said Zelensky had been getting 'bad advice' on how to deal with the new administration and for the past three years had been told he could do nothing wrong.

more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14413657/Vice-President-Vance-warns-Zelensky-badmouthing-Trump-public-backfire-Ukrainian-presidents-broadside.html

[DB]

JD Vance warns Zelensky he will regret 'badmouthing' Trump and condemns his 'atrocious' response to peace talks

    J.D. Vance talked to the Daily Mail in his West Wing office on Wednesday

By ROB CRILLY, CHIEF U.S. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Published: 11:35 EST, 19 February 2025 | Updated: 12:59 EST, 19 February 2025

Vice President J.D. Vance on Wednesday warned the Ukrainian president against attacking President Donald Trump, saying that 'badmouthing' him in public would only backfire.

Vance spoke to DailyMail.com hours after Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky accused Trump of living in a Russian-made 'disinformation space.'

The extraordinary language on both sides comes at a critical time in the war between Ukraine and Russia, as Trump pushes for a speedy resolution.

'The idea that Zelensky is going to change the president's mind by badmouthing him in public media, everyone who knows the President will tell you that is an atrocious way to deal with this administration,' said Vance during an exclusive interview in his West Wing office. 

At the same time, Trump weighed in with his own attack on Truth Social.

'A Dictator without Elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,' he wrote.

It marks an extraordinary breakdown in relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Vance said Zelensky had been getting 'bad advice' on how to deal with the new administration and for the past three years had been told he could do nothing wrong.

more
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14413657/Vice-President-Vance-warns-Zelensky-badmouthing-Trump-public-backfire-Ukrainian-presidents-broadside.html

That's a two way street isn't it Vance?

Trump started out saying Zelenskyy was a bad guy. Not so much about Putin...

[Right_in_Virginia]

Tis is complete horse crap.  The Ukrainian Parliament enabled and authorized the declaration of martial law, and constitutionally no elections can be held until martial law is lifted, which is up to the Parliament.

I'm getting really tired of continually having to explain this to willfully ignorant people.

There's a lot happening in your idealized Ukraine that has obviously missed your attention -----

Ukraine Sure Doesn't Look Like a Democracy Anymore | Opinion
Nov 17, 2023

[...]

Democracies do not ban opposition parties. The fact that so many such parties ever existed says something about the level of opposition faced by the Ukrainian nationalist government that came to power after the 2014 revolution. Then in May of 2022, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law formally banning all these parties. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the law. The list included the Opposition Platform for Life, which had held fully 10 percent of the seats in parliament. Among the 11 banned parties are the Socialist Party of Ukraine, the Progressive Socialist Party of the Ukraine, the Union of Left Forces, and the Communist Party of Ukraine.

Democracies do not ban elections, but Ukraine has put the democratic process itself on hold since declaring martial law in 2022. This hiatus was supposed to be temporary, but it has been repeatedly extended, most recently in July 2023. As a result of that vote in the Ukrainian parliament, where all opposition parties have been removed, the parliamentary elections scheduled for last month were canceled. Presidential elections were scheduled for March 2024, but under current rules they too will not be held, and Zelensky has stated that "now is not the time for elections."

Democracies do not censor the media. In February 2022, the Ukrainian government ordered the nine largest television networks in Ukraine to combine their news operations into a single, state-controlled news program called "Telemarathon." In April 2022 the National Security Council ordered three independent television channels associated with Zelensky's predecessor taken off the air. In December 2022, Zelensky signed a law which gave the National Broadcasting Council statutory authority to regulate all print, broadcast, and digital media.

This law gave the Ukrainian government the ability to censor and shut down independent platforms such as Google. It has been harshly criticized by the European Federation of Journalists, which stated that it is incompatible with European Union membership. Ukraine's own National Union of Journalists called the law "the biggest threat to free speech in (Ukraine's) independent history." At this point there are no independent television stations broadcasting news in Ukraine. Print and digital media remain heavily censored.

Democracies do not prohibit travel. When Ukraine declared martial law, men aged 18 to 60 became subject to conscription and were therefore forbidden to leave the country. Many have nevertheless sought to avoid the war by fleeing abroad. Those apprehended by the border police are sent to military service. Those who manage to escape remain mostly in Poland and Germany. The Ukrainian government has asked the EU to forcibly return them to Ukraine, thus far without success.

Democracies do not restrict religious freedom. In December 2022, Zelensky banned the activities of all religious organizations linked to Russia. This included Ukraine's largest denomination, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which had been closely integrated with the Russian Orthodox Church for more than a thousand years. In May 2022 the church's synod of bishops, in a historic step, formally voted to sever all ties to Moscow and condemned the Russian Orthodox Church's support for the invasion of Ukraine. This was not enough for the Ukrainian government. It increased efforts to ban the Orthodox Church while organizing and promoting a new, state-controlled church.

If people wish to join this new church, they should certainly be free to do so, but the government in Kiev has been forcing congregations to switch allegiance and seizing the property of those who resist. The Ukrainian parliament is now preparing to formally outlaw the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Democracies do not seek to ban a nation's oldest and largest denomination.

The catalogue of authoritarian abuses is growing in Ukraine and shows little sign of slowing. Under the guidance of the West's favorite autocrat—Zelensky—it has created a state-controlled church, taken control of all television news, and banned major opposition parties. This far exceeds anything that occurred in recent American or British history. Both of those nations remained fundamentally democratic during war, even a civil war. This latest cancellation of presidential elections in Ukraine destroys any pretense that we are supporting a functioning democracy.


More: https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-sure-doesnt-look-like-democracy-anymore-opinion-1844799

[Timber Rattler]

Well, that piece is full of lies and half truths.

Here're the authors:

David H. Rundell is the author of Vision or Mirage, Saudi Arabia at the Crossroads and a former chief of mission at the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Michael Gfoeller is a former political advisor to the U.S. Central Command who spent 15 years working the Soviet Union and former Soviet Union.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Trump's a moron when it comes to foreign policy.

As opposed to the genius, Zellensky, who's resorted to gnawing off the hand needed to keep him and his country alive?