On February 18, 2023, during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, former U.S. President Donald Trump made several controversial statements about Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky. These claims have since been met with widespread criticism and fact-checking from both European and American politicians, as well as major media outlets such as BBC and CNN.
One of Trump’s most provocative assertions was the characterization of Zelensky as "a dictator without elections." This statement not only lacks basis but is also misleading. Zelensky was elected as the president of Ukraine through democratic elections held between March and April of 2019. His inability to hold elections during his current term, which is set to end in 2024, arises from the state of war imposed by Russia and the martial law prevalent within the country. Historical parallels can be drawn to other wartime scenarios; for example, the United Kingdom didn’t have general elections during World War II until 1945. Similarly, elections were suspended during the Winter War and World War II in Finland and Italy, respectively.
Trump's claims continued with statements about Zelensky’s approval ratings, asserting, "The leader of Ukraine, I hate to say it, but he’s down at 4% approval rating." This assertion is unsubstantiated and not supported by any credible polling. The Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicates Zelensky’s approval rating is around 57%, reflecting widespread support relative to the fact of war. The 4% figure seems to stem from discredited sources, including Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Dubinsky, who has been accused of colluding with Russian intelligence.
Another contentious point made by Trump was the assertion concerning American financial support to Ukraine, alleging, "Zelensky said last week he doesn’t know where half of the money sent to him is." This claim distorts Zelensky's comments, which were part of addressing misleading representations about total aid. What Zelensky expressed was his concern over inflated estimates of U.S. financial support. "When it’s said Ukraine received US$200 billion to support the army during the war – that's not true," he stated. The actual figures indicate Ukraine received around $76 billion, not the inflated numbers touted by Trump.
Trump also inaccurately stated, "I believe 350 billion dollars has been provided by the U.S., but Europe has only contributed about 100 billion." This assertion is categorically incorrect. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, between January 2022 and December 2024, the total financial commitments to Ukraine from the U.S. reached about $124 billion, whereas European states collectively committed more than $258 billion during the same period. The only area where the U.S. has provided more money than Europe is military aid, and even then, the difference is marginal.
Historically, Trump has made statements surrounding the origins of the conflict, claiming, "You should have never started [the war]." This rhetoric echoes Kremlin disinformation narratives, which shift blame away from Russia. Accurate historical contexts show the conflict began with Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, with the stated aim to "demilitarize and denazify" Ukraine. These claims were immediately recognizable as false by the international community, which understands Zelensky is not only democratically elected but also serves as the chief strategist against Russian aggression.
The reactions to Trump’s remarks reflect the growing concerns within the international community about the spread of misinformation surrounding the Ukraine crisis. Zelensky himself reacted, commenting, "Trump is living in a disinformation space," emphasizing the dangers posed by such unfounded claims to the integrity of facts. The former president’s statements are not merely political footballs; they contribute to shaping perceptions on international support, particularly at a time when unity against aggression is more pivotal than ever.
The situation necessitates vigilance to mitigate the risks stemming from misinformed public discourse. Given the substantial reliance on accurate information for political discourse and foreign policy, it’s clear why fact-checking and accountability need to be prioritized. David the head of the international watchdog, underlined the message, ‘We must remain focused on the realities of the situation and reject misinformation, whether from former leaders or current influencers, to preserve our strategic collaborations.’
Overall, the recent statements by Trump on Ukraine and Zelensky not only display inaccuracies but also reflect broader political narratives. Contextualizing these claims with verified facts is imperative for fostering informed public opinion and political dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic.