KYIV — Ukraine is rallying in defense of its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following severe criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump labeled Zelenskyy as incompetent and a “dictator without elections,” alleging that he had manipulated the U.S. into providing substantial military aid. This attack prompted a swift response from Ukrainian politicians, officials, and military personnel, demonstrating a unified front.
Political leaders defend Ukraine’s sovereignty
Yulia Tymoshenko, a former prime minister and leader of the Motherland faction in the Ukrainian parliament, emphasized Ukraine’s sovereignty, stating,
“Ukraine is a sovereign state! Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine. Legitimate until another is elected. Only Ukrainians can decide when and under what conditions they should change their government. Today, there are no such conditions.”
Her remarks resonate with a growing sentiment among Ukrainians who feel the need to protect their democratic governance amid external pressures.
Trump’s remarks reflect an alignment with the Kremlin’s narrative regarding Ukraine, raising concerns about the potential implications for Europe’s security. This rhetoric hits particularly hard in Kyiv, which has been enduring a relentless Russian invasion for nearly three years.
Challenges of conducting elections during wartime
The White House’s push for Ukrainian elections during a time of war has drawn irritation from local politicians. The Ukrainian constitution prohibits elections during martial law, as the safety of voters, including soldiers and civilians in occupied territories, cannot be guaranteed.
Tymoshenko asserted,
“Elections during wartime are impossible and immoral because our military will not be able to participate in them. And without them, elections will never be legitimate. During the war, it is suicidal to start the election race, tearing the country into political camps. Now, more than ever, we need unity and stability.”
In light of Trump’s statements, the timing has left election monitors perplexed. Olga Ajvazovska, a leading election overseer in Ukraine, expressed the need for security and guarantees to protect democratic processes post-war.
On the front lines, the sentiments echo the political discourse. Ukrainian soldier Vitalii Ovcharenko criticized Trump’s stance as rooted in Russian propaganda, calling it “anti-moral and anti-democratic.”
While some members of parliament have been critical of Zelenskyy, they condemn Trump’s remarks as “unacceptable.” MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze urged the president to unify the country, stating,
“Yes, we heard completely unacceptable statements by the U.S. leader about who started the war; about resolving the ‘conflict in Ukraine’ by completely satisfying Putin’s ‘wishes’; about de facto potentially forcing Ukraine to surrender everything we have been fighting for for 11 years against aggressive dictatorial Russia.”
Local leaders across Ukraine have voiced their unwavering support for Zelenskyy. Borys Filatov, the mayor of Dnipro, declared,
“We may like Zelenskyy, or we may not, we may scold him, or we may praise him… because he is OUR President. No lying creature, neither in Moscow, nor in Washington, nor anywhere, has the right to open his mouth against him.”
Moreover, Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin highlighted the bond between the Ukrainian people and their leader during this crisis, reaffirming their trust in Zelenskyy’s leadership.
In response to Trump’s allegations regarding Ukraine’s role in the invasion, Zelenskyy clarified the facts, pointing to the need for truth in political discourse. He remarked,
“The story that 90 percent of all aid is [from] the United States … you and I understand that the truth is a little different, although we are certainly grateful for the help.”
Zelenskyy noted that the war has cost Ukraine approximately $320 billion, with various contributions from international allies, asserting that the numbers suggest a more complex reality of support than Trump portrayed.
The Kiel Institute for the World Economy indicates that Europe has surpassed the U.S. in terms of aid to Ukraine, further complicating the narrative surrounding foreign support.