Trump’s stance on Zelensky has shifted from praise in 2022 to public clashes in 2025. Once calling him “brave”, Trump now labels him a “dictator”. Their Oval Office showdown has put U.S.-Ukraine relations on shaky ground.
Highlights
- 2022: Trump calls Zelensky “brave”, backs Ukraine 🇺🇦
- 2024: Calls him “the greatest salesman”, questions U.S. aid
- 2025: Oval Office clash – Trump calls Zelensky a “dictator”
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Trump and Zelensky: A tumultuous relationship – a timeline since 2022
From Praise to Public Clashes: How Trump and Zelensky’s Relationship Unraveled
The relationship between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has seen dramatic twists and turns. What began with praise and cordial exchanges soon turned into public tensions, heated accusations, and a war of words that could have significant geopolitical consequences. Here’s a timeline tracing the highs and lows of their interactions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
February 2022: Trump Calls Zelensky ‘Brave’ Amid Russian Invasion
As Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Trump, while initially praising Putin's move as "savvy," later expressed support for Zelensky. At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 26, 2022, Trump described Zelensky as “a brave man” and applauded his decision to remain in Kyiv.
Legendary Trump moment.
— Amit Shah (Parody) (@Motabhai012) February 28, 2025
He sarcastically tells Zelensky: "Wow look, you're all dressed up today"pic.twitter.com/7Ah2tQZ6EQ
However, critics pointed out Trump’s previous history with Ukraine, particularly his 2019 impeachment scandal, which stemmed from allegations that he pressured Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden in exchange for military aid.
April 2022: Trump Calls for a Peace Deal, Frustrating Ukraine
Just two months into the war, Trump questioned why peace had not yet been reached, stating that the ongoing conflict “doesn’t make sense” and warning that delays would result in “nothing left but death and destruction.”
While not explicitly blaming Zelensky, Trump’s comments suggested frustration with Ukraine’s unwillingness to negotiate.
June 2023: Trump Touts ‘Very Good Relationship’ With Zelensky
During a campaign speech, Trump boasted about his strong ties with both Zelensky and Putin, claiming he could end the war in 24 hours if re-elected. Zelensky responded, saying that Trump should “publicly share his peace plan now” instead of waiting until after the election.
Zelensky Moment
— S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) September 27, 2024
“I have very good relations with President PUTIN”
— Trump, with cocaine-addict comedian standing nearby! 😆#Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/NwpABtCkfr
June 2024: The ‘Greatest Salesman’ Comment
During a presidential debate against Joe Biden, Trump began shifting his tone. He called Zelensky “the greatest salesman ever,” implying that Ukraine had secured excessive financial aid from the U.S. He claimed Zelensky would “walk away with $60 billion” every time he visited the U.S., exaggerating the amount of aid provided.
This marked a turning point in Trump’s rhetoric, as he increasingly portrayed Zelensky as someone exploiting U.S. resources.
July 2024: Trump Calls Biden’s Mistake on Zelensky ‘Unpardonable’
When President Biden mistakenly introduced Zelensky as “Putin” at a NATO summit, Trump seized the moment, calling the blunder “unforgivable” and a sign of Biden’s incompetence. Despite his shifting stance on Ukraine, Trump still positioned himself as a better alternative to Biden on foreign policy.
January 2025: ‘Zelensky Is No Angel’
In his first interview after returning to the White House, Trump struck a more aggressive tone. While acknowledging that Putin “shouldn’t have invaded”, he also blamed Zelensky for the war, stating that “he shouldn’t have allowed this to happen” and calling him “no angel.”
🚨 Trump: Zelensky ‘is no angel,’ ‘shouldn’t have allowed this war to happen’ https://t.co/Xinquo8zu8 pic.twitter.com/zfJQWfeTg0
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) January 24, 2025
This remark fueled speculation that Trump was laying the groundwork for reducing U.S. support for Ukraine.
February 2025: Trump Labels Zelensky a ‘Dictator’
Tensions escalated when Trump accused Zelensky of “being a dictator without elections”, referencing Ukraine’s decision to delay its presidential election due to martial law. Trump also falsely claimed that Zelensky had a 4% approval rating and that the U.S. had sent Ukraine $350 billion in aid (far more than the actual amount).
Zelensky responded diplomatically, stating that Trump “lives in a disinformation space” and emphasizing that Ukraine still needed American support.
February 28, 2025: The Oval Office Clash
The breaking point came in a televised confrontation at the White House. The meeting, originally planned to discuss a minerals trade deal between Ukraine and the U.S., spiraled into a heated argument.
Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III” and “not acting thankful” for U.S. support. Vice President JD Vance also joined in, criticizing Ukraine’s handling of the war. Zelensky, visibly frustrated, insisted that there could be “no compromise” with Russia.
The meeting ended abruptly, with Zelensky leaving without signing a deal.
March 2025: What’s Next?
Following the Oval Office spat, Trump took to social media, claiming that Zelensky “is not ready for peace” and that “America will not put up with this for much longer.”
.@VP: "Do you think that it's respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?"@POTUS: "You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards ... You're… pic.twitter.com/iTYyAmfuCJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 28, 2025
Despite the public falling-out, Ukraine remains dependent on U.S. aid, and Zelensky has expressed hope for continued American support. Meanwhile, Trump has not ruled out cutting aid but stated that the situation “is changing quickly.”
With the war still raging and U.S. policy on Ukraine in flux, the world is watching how this high-stakes relationship will unfold next.
What began as mutual praise has turned into one of the most public and politically charged relationships between two world leaders. Trump’s shifting stance—from calling Zelensky brave to accusing him of dictatorship—reflects not just personal animosity but a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under his leadership.
Whether this fractured relationship leads to a cut in military aid or a forced peace deal, one thing is clear: Trump and Zelensky’s uneasy alliance will continue to shape the future of the war in Ukraine.
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