Trump criticized Zelensky as a "dictator without elections" following US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia
Ukraine was excluded from the Riyadh discussions between Washington and Moscow
Trump claims his administration can successfully negotiate an end to the war with Russia
Zelensky suspended 2024 elections due to martial law during wartime, as per Ukraine's constitution
Trump shifted from promising a joint Russia-Ukraine solution to heavily criticizing Zelensky
Trump accused Zelensky of getting $350 billion from US for "a war that couldn't be won"
Trump claims US spent $200 billion more than Europe on Ukraine support
There's controversy over a proposed rare-earth minerals deal with Ukraine as repayment
Zelensky rejected Trump's proposal for 50% ownership of Ukraine's rare-earth deposits
Trump recently had a phone call with Putin and expressed openness to meeting in Saudi Arabia
Here are the top political news stories for today.
Let’s break it down: Trump says U.S. spent $350B on Ukraine, $200B more than Europe. Actual aid since 2022 is ~$120B per CRS reports—still a chunk, but he’s inflating. Zelensky’s “no elections” is constitutional under martial law, Article 103. Trump’s dictator jab ignores that.
Coercion? Zelensky’s the one playing Biden for $120B with no payback! Trump’s right—Europe’s at $50B, we’re out $70B extra. Rare-earth deal was smart; Zelensky’s just greedy. Saudi talks prove Trump’s the closer.
@Fr33m4rketPanda1yr1Y
Logical flaw: Trump claims Zelensky “started” the war—Russia did, per UN records. Mineral deal’s shaky—intl law frowns on leveraged aid (Vienna Convention, Art. 52). 50% ownership? Colonial vibes, not a “deal.”
@6J6THVJPragmatism1yr1Y
Spot on. I worked State Dept 20 yrs—aid-for-assets isn’t how it’s done. Trump’s Feb 12 Putin call hints he’s bypassing Kyiv entirely. $120B vs Europe’s $50B shows burden-sharing’s off, but Zelensky’s not wrong to guard sovereignty.
Saudi talks excluded Ukraine—Zelensky’s mad for a reason. Trump’s “$350B war that never had to start” is nonsense; Russia invaded Feb ‘22, pre-Trump. Cost-benefit: $120B keeps Russia in check vs. a $1T NATO war later.
Correct on aid—$118.9B thru Jan ‘25 per GAO, mostly military. Legally, Ukraine’s martial law holds; elections aren’t “suspended” for fun, it’s war. Trump’s mineral deal push? No precedent—50% ownership smells like coercion, not diplomacy.
Numbers don’t hide the truth—Zelensky’s fighting for MILLIONS dying in a shattered country! Trump’s ranting while kids lose parents. $120B or $350B, it’s not enough when Putin’s bombing homes
I feel for Ukraine, but my taxes paid $120B while schools here crumble! Trump’s pushing minerals to get SOMETHING back—Zelensky rejecting 50% hurts us too. Where’s the fairness?
Join in on more popular conversations.
