KYIV, Ukraine — This week, former President Donald Trump made controversial remarks attributing the onset of the ongoing conflict to Ukraine, creating significant backlash in a nation that has endured nearly three years of conflict against a larger Russian force that has already resulted in a devastating loss of life. Trump labeled President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “a dictator without elections” and suggested that Zelenskyy’s popularity among voters had plummeted to alarming lows.
In response, Zelenskyy stated that much of the misinformation stems from Russia, indicating that some of Trump’s claims align with narratives promoted by the Kremlin regarding the war.
Examining Trump’s assertions reveals a pattern of inaccuracies:
**On Ukraine initiating the conflict**
Trump declared, “You’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it … You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.” In reality, the war started with Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, which was justified by President Vladimir Putin through the false pretext of needing to shield Russian-speaking individuals in eastern Ukraine and to stop the nation from joining NATO. However, Russian aggression toward Ukraine can be traced back to 2014 when Putin, concerned over Ukraine’s pivot towards Western alliances, illegally annexed Crimea and ignited unrest in the Donbas region, leading to a protracted conflict that escalated over the years. The situation boiled over in 2022 when Russia commenced significant military action, ultimately crossing into Ukrainian territory.
**Regarding elections in Ukraine**
Trump claimed, “We have a situation where we haven’t had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law,” while suggesting Zelenskyy needed to act quickly to preserve the country. However, Zelenskyy was duly elected in 2019 for a five-year term, with upcoming elections slated for spring 2024. Ukrainian law prohibits holding elections during martial law, which is why Zelenskyy continues to remain in office. He expressed confidence that elections could occur after martial law is lifted, although logistical challenges arise due to the ongoing conflict. With approximately 6.9 million Ukrainian refugees outside the country and many soldiers committed to frontline duties, ensuring a fair electoral process amid the war is exceedingly difficult. Additionally, many Ukrainians live under Russian occupation, complicating their ability to participate in elections safely.
**Zelenskyy’s approval ratings**
Trump asserted, “The leader in Ukraine, I mean, I hate to say it, but he’s down at 4% approval rating.” Contrary to this claim, a recent report from the Kyiv International Institution of Sociology indicated that Zelenskyy maintains around 57 percent public trust. Addressing Trump’s misguided claim, Zelenskyy labeled it as “disinformation” from Moscow and noted that he will encourage pollsters to provide accurate surveys regarding his trustworthiness, including sharing results with the former president’s administration.
**On casualties in the conflict**
Trump exaggerated the death toll by stating, “When you see what’s taken place in Ukraine with millions of people killed…I don’t know how anybody even lives there.” Reputable sources, however, do not support claims of millions of deaths. Ukrainian officials estimate that over 46,000 soldiers have died since the onset of the expansive conflict in February 2022, with tens of thousands of civilians also lost in occupied territories. Current statistics from Russian sources indicate military deaths at just over 6,000, but Western intelligence suggests higher numbers.
Trump’s comments demonstrate a disconnect from the realities faced by Ukraine amidst an enduring and devastating war, fostering misinformation that can undermine both public perception and international support.
