During a press conference this Monday from the White House, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, refrained from labeling his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as a dictator, a term he has previously used to refer to the Ukrainian leader, Volodímir Zelenski.
"I don't use those words lightly", Trump explained during a discussion in which the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, participated.
Last Friday, the U.S. president also refrained from using the term to refer to Putin, noting on that occasion that the two presidents, both the Russian and the Ukrainian, must "sit down together" to negotiate an end to the war, the agency Efe recalled.
This stance has generated tensions in the relations between Washington and Kiev, especially after Trump announced on February 12 that he had spoken on the phone with Putin and reached an agreement to "initiate negotiations immediately" with the aim of ending the war in Ukraine.
These conversations, which began on February 18 in Saudi Arabia, excluded Zelenski and European countries, causing discomfort on the continent.
The Ukrainian president has protested against the exclusion of Kiev from these negotiations and has accused Trump of living in a bubble of "disinformation" driven by Russia. In response, Trump called him a "dictator".
These statements have generated international reactions. The Dutch Minister of Defense, Ruben Brekelmans, stated that Trump is "definitely not well-informed" about the Russian aggression against Ukraine and emphasized that it is "evident" that Putin is "a dictator" and that he "invaded Ukraine, not the other way around."
Meanwhile, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, emphasized that "peace must not come at the expense of Ukraine's surrender," highlighting the importance of a solution that respects Ukrainian sovereignty.
The international community is closely monitoring these developments, concerned about the implications they may have on regional stability and the global balance of power
Frequently asked questions about Trump's recent statements and the situation in Ukraine
Why did Donald Trump avoid calling Vladimir Putin a dictator?
Donald Trump avoided labeling Vladimir Putin as a dictator during a press conference, arguing that he does not use that term lightly. This stance comes in a context where Trump advocates for negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has generated tensions with Ukraine and its European allies.
What is Ukraine's stance on the negotiations between the U.S. and Russia?
Ukraine, led by Volodymyr Zelensky, rejects negotiations between the U.S. and Russia that do not include the direct participation of its government. Zelensky has expressed his discontent at being excluded from these talks, as he believes that any agreement without Ukraine would lack legitimacy and would not address its sovereign interests.
What impact do Trump's statements have on the relationship with Ukraine?
Trump's statements, labeling Zelensky as a "dictator without elections" and blaming Ukraine for the war, have strained relations between Washington and Kiev. These claims have been perceived as a disdain for Ukrainian leadership and have sparked international criticism, especially among European allies.
What has Emmanuel Macron said about the situation in Ukraine?
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has emphasized that "peace must not entail the surrender of Ukraine." Macron advocates for a solution that respects Ukrainian sovereignty and has underscored that Russia, as the initiator of the conflict, must be responsible for the necessary reparations.
Filed under:
