In the early stages of the Ukrainian war, Volodymyr Zelenskyj was widely hailed as a hero and often met with resounding applause as he traveled around seeking funding from powers in the United States and other countries.
However, the protracted war and lack of progress has left many weary. Presidential candidate Donald Trump calls Zelenskyi “one of the greatest salesmen I’ve ever seen” and argues that he should never have allowed the war to start in the first place.
Trump’s remarks have been interpreted by analysts as a sign that US policy towards Ukraine and Russia could change radically if he wins the election on 5 November.
Trump has previously criticized Zelenskyi, describing him as a “salesman” when he repeatedly asked for more money and weapons.
Trump has also criticized Kiev for not appearing to be interested in seeking peace with Moscow at all, and raised the possibility that Ukraine may have to cede some of its territory to Russia in order to reach a peace deal – a proposal Kiev rejects.
“Best salesman I’ve ever seen”
Now Trump is going even further, saying that Zelenskyj not only failed to end the war – but is also to blame for starting it.
– That doesn’t mean I don’t want to help him because I feel very badly for those people. But he should never have let that war start. The war’s a loser, he said in a radio interview yesterday.
– I think Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen I’ve ever seen, he continued, expressing dissatisfaction with all the support the US has given Ukraine.
While Trump appears to want to end, or at least sharply reduce, US funding for the war, Democrat Kamala Harris has vowed to continue supporting Ukraine wholeheartedly – arguing that a victory for the eastern European nation is an important national security interest for the US.