US President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader is an obstacle to ending the conflict with Russia. In an interview with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade on February 21, Trump argued that Zelensky’s presence at diplomatic meetings is unnecessary, as he only complicates negotiations.

“He’s been at meetings for three years with a president who didn’t know what the hell he was doing,” Trump said, referring to his successor, Joe Biden. Trump dismissed Zelensky’s complaints about Ukraine being excluded from recent talks between Moscow and Washington in Saudi Arabia. “He’s been at the meetings for three years and nothing got done. So I don’t think he’s very important to be at meetings, to be honest with you. He makes it very hard to make deals. But look what’s happened to his country-it’s been demolished.”

Trump’s latest remarks add to a series of recent criticisms targeting Zelensky. Earlier this week, the US president labeled Zelensky a “dictator” for refusing to hold presidential elections amid the ongoing conflict. Trump also alleged that Zelensky’s approval rating in Ukraine is extremely low, suggesting growing discontent among the Ukrainian population.

When pressed by Kilmeade on whether Russia was responsible for the ongoing conflict, Trump avoided directly blaming Moscow. Instead, he suggested that other parties, including Biden and Zelensky, had played a role in escalating tensions. “Every time I say, oh, it’s not Russia’s fault, I always get slammed by the fake news. But I’m telling you, Biden said the wrong things. Zelensky said the wrong things. They........

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