Trump calls Zelensky a 'dictator'
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Why did Trump call Zelensky a 'dictator'?
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Janet Jalil, and in the early hours of Thursday, the 20th of February, these are our main stories. As the bitter war of words between Ukraine and the United States intensifies, Donald Trump describes Vladimir Zelensky as a dictator. European leaders express support for Ukraine's embattled president. Microsoft unveils a chip powered by a new state of matter, which it says shows a quantum computing revolution is only years away.
Also in this podcast... They have said that it sounds a bit like a clearance sale, you know, like bargain bin kind of territory, which is perhaps not the sort of thing that you'd be wanting to give us the message when it comes to tourism.
Why a campaign to get people to visit New Zealand is being ridiculed by Kiwis. In just a week, the US under Donald Trump has gone from being Ukraine's biggest ally to becoming embroiled in a bitter war of words, even as Trump officials have held peace talks with Russia that excluded Ukraine and Europe. In his latest jaw-dropping attack on Ukraine's president, Mr Trump lashed out at Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a dictator without elections, who had done a terrible job as leader. Here's what he posted on social media. His words have been voiced by one of our colleagues.
Think of it. A modestly successful comedian, Vladimir Zelensky, talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion to go into a war that couldn't be won, that never had to start, but a war that he, without the US and Trump, will never be able to settle. The United States has spent $200 billion more than Europe, and Europe's money is guaranteed, while the United States will get nothing back. Why didn't sleepy Joe Biden demand equalisation, in that this war is far more important to Europe than it is to us? We have a big, beautiful ocean at separation. On top of this, Zelensky admits that half of the money we sent him is missing.
What are the implications of Trump's comments on Ukraine?
He refuses to have elections, is very low in Ukrainian polls, and the only thing he was good at was playing Biden like a fiddle. A dictator without elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a country left. In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia, something all admit only Trump and the Trump administration can do. Biden never tried, Europe has failed to bring peace, and Zelensky probably wants to keep the gravy train going. I love Ukraine, but Zelensky has done a terrible job, his country is shattered, and millions have unnecessarily died. And so it continues.
This social media post came after Mr Zelensky responded to earlier claims made by Mr Trump, not least that Ukraine started the war and that he only has the support of 4% of Ukraine's population. Mr Zelensky said the US president was simply repeating false claims by Russia. The Ukrainian leader said they belied the reality that he is supported by a majority of his country's population who want a just peace.
Since we are talking about 4%, we have seen this disinformation. We understand that it is coming from Russia. It is unfortunate that President Trump, and with great respect for him as the leader of the American people who constantly support us, unfortunately lives in this disinformation space.
European political leaders weighed in to support Mr Zelensky. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called him to say that it was perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during wartime, just as the UK had done during the Second World War. The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said that it was wrong and dangerous to deny President Zelensky his democratic legitimacy.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why did Trump call Zelensky a 'dictator'?
0:38–2:57
2
What are the implications of Trump's comments on Ukraine?
2:57–4:50
3
How did European leaders respond to Trump's remarks?
4:50–7:32
4
What is the controversy around Ukraine's mineral reserves?
7:32–12:20
5
What is happening in South Korea with Yoon Sung-yeol?
12:20–15:40
6
What is Microsoft's breakthrough in quantum computing?
15:40–28:51
Speakers
14 identifiedMore from Global News Podcast
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