Twice as Many Americans View Trump as 'Dictator' Than Zelensky

[struggle4progress]

Published Feb 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM EST
Updated Feb 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM EST

... Since taking office a month ago, Trump has departed from the Biden administration's approach to the Ukraine-Russia war, calling the Ukrainian leader, who has been a close U.S. ally, a "dictator," on Wednesday.

Many Americans and policymakers across the political spectrum view Russia's February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine as an attack on Ukrainian sovereignty and believe Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to be reined in, often praising the Ukrainian leader ...

https://www.newsweek.com/nearly-twice-many-americans-view-trump-dictator-zelensky-2033920

[struggle4progress]

1. Trump: Zelensky has no cards, shouldn't be at meetings with Russia

by Brett Samuels - 02/21/25 12:06 PM ET

President Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, saying he did not think it was important for Zelensky to attend negotiations about the war in Ukraine.

Trump acknowledged in a Fox News Radio interview with Brian Kilmeade that Russia attacked Ukraine but still suggested former President Biden and Zelensky shared blame for failing to talk down Moscow.

“I’ve been watching for years, and I’ve been watching him negotiate with no cards,” Trump said of Zelensky. “He has no cards. And you get sick of it.”

“So, I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you,” Trump added. “He makes it very hard to make deals” ...

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5157534-trump-zelensky-russia-meetings/

[struggle4progress]

2. U.S. and Ukraine discuss "improved" minerals deal after Trump raged at Zelensky

The Trump administration has given Ukraine an "improved" draft for a minerals agreement between the countries after President Volodymyr Zelensky infuriated President Trump by rejecting his initial offer, a Ukrainian official, a U.S. official and three sources with knowledge tell Axios ...

https://www.axios.com/2025/02/20/us-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals-agreement

[struggle4progress]

3. Rubio Explains How Trump Soured on Zelensky

By Jesus Mesa

... Rubio said Trump's frustration with Zelensky escalated after Ukraine rejected a proposed deal involving U.S. investment in the country's mineral resources.

According to Rubio, the deal was intended to protect American economic interests while also recovering some of the nearly $200 billion in aid the U.S. has provided.

"We want to be in a joint venture with Ukraine—not because we're trying to take advantage of them, but because we believe it's actually a security guarantee," Rubio said ...

https://www.newsweek.com/marco-rubio-explains-trump-soured-zelensky-2034590

Rubio's just another cheap gangster