What Trump Has Said About Zelensky Since 2022

In just over three years, U.S. President Donald Trump has gone from calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “brave man” to a “dictator,” reaching what may be a nadir in the Oval Office last week.

Trump, Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance came to verbal blows in front of cameras on Friday in what was supposed to have preceded terms of continued support for Ukraine in its 3-year war with Russia.

Talks exchanging Ukraine’s rare earth minerals for ongoing U.S. aid quickly became a fractious conversation between the world leaders. Some, including Democratic leaders, believe the argument had been planned, an accusation the White House has denied.

The incident marked weeks, if not months, of comments Trump has made about Zelensky and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Newsweek has contacted a White House media representative for comment.

In a war of words some fear could have dramatic international consequences, Newsweek looks back at Trump’s comments about Zelensky since the war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.

February 26, 2022

Trump Calls Zelensky A ‘Brave Man’

Trump attracted some criticism early in the war for praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Putin had made the “very savvy” move of declaring “independence” for two Ukrainian regions as a pretext to move what he called “peacekeeping” troops into Ukraine.

However, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 26, 2022, two days after Russia’s invasion, Trump said Zelensky was a “brave man, he’s hanging in, he’s a brave man” earning a round of applause.

At CPAC, Trump also discussed his 2019 impeachment, stemming from allegations that during a phone call on July 25, 2019, Trump pressured Zelensky to investigate Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden while future U.S. military aid was on the line. Trump acknowledged that he discussed the Bidens and accusations of corruption during the call but denied any connection between the conversation and his decision to withhold aid.

Trump told the CPAC that he liked Zelensky because “during that ridiculous impeachment waste of time…the president of Ukraine said he [Trump] did nothing wrong.

“He could have said he did something or he thought, ‘Well that wasn’t appropriate,’ you know, all the crap you have to listen to,” Trump said. “He said ‘He did absolutely n’…I called him up to congratulate him on his victory. He said, ‘He did nothing wrong, he did absolutely nothing wrong.'”

Trump also called the Russian attack on Ukraine “appalling” adding: “We are praying for the proud people of Ukraine. God bless them all.”

April 18, 2022

Trump Says Lack Of Peace ‘Doesn’t Make Sense’

Less than two months after the war started, Trump said it didn’t “make sense” that Russia and Ukraine had not come to a peace agreement. While not speaking directly about Zelensky, Trump’s statements nodded to Moscow and Kyiv leadership to settle the violence.

“If they don’t do it soon, there will be nothing left but death, destruction, and carnage,” Trump said in a statement.

“This is a war that never should have happened, but it did. The solution can never be as good as it would have been before the shooting started, but there is a solution, and it should be figured out now—not later—when everyone will be DEAD!”

October 8, 2022

Zelensky Is ‘Very Honorable’

At a political rally in Minden, Nevada, the month before he announced his plans to run for president again, Trump referred to Zelensky as “very honorable,” again repeating the story and circumstances following his 2019 impeachment and their phone call.

“And he was very honorable, Zelensky,” Trump said, claiming Zelensky said there was no intimidation involved in the call.

June 27, 2023

‘I Get Along With Him’

Amid his campaign, Trump began to claim that his relationship with Zelensky and Putin was of such strength that he could negotiate a deal to bring the war to an end.

Addressing a Republican Women’s Lunch in Concord, New Hampshire, on June 27, 2023, Trump said: “And when they asked Zelensky, which I respect…I tell you what. I get along with him, get along with Putin.

“I’d have that war—it would have never happened under me, never ever, would have never happened. But I’ll have that war settled in 24 hours, and it won’t even be a tough one by comparison to other things.”

Trump repeated versions of the same claim throughout the campaign. In July 2023, he told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that his “very good relationship” with Zelensky and Putin would serve as a foundation for peace talks.

These claims appeared to prompt a response from Zelensky, who told CNN in September 2023: “He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, and say, ‘My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression.’

“And he said, how he sees it, how to push Russian from our land. Otherwise, he’s not presenting the global idea of peace.”

June 27, 2024

Zelensky Is ‘The Greatest Salesman Ever’

Among the earliest signs that Trump may have begun to sour on Ukraine came during the presidential debate with Biden.

Asked by moderator Dana Bash which of Putin’s terms for peace he would accept, Trump falsely suggested that the U.S. had given Ukraine $200 billion, calling Zelensky “the greatest salesman ever.”

“He’s [Biden] given $200 billion now or more to Ukraine,” Trump said. “He’s given $200 billion. That’s a lot of money. I don’t think there’s ever been anything like it. Every time that Zelensky comes to this country, he walks away with $60 billion.

“He’s the greatest salesman ever. And I’m not knocking him, I’m not knocking anything. I’m only saying, the money that we’re spending on this war, and we shouldn’t be spending.

“It should have never happened. I will have that war settled between Putin and Zelensky as president-elect before I take office on January 20th. I’ll have that war settled.”

Trump continued to use the “greatest salesman” line throughout his campaign.

July 12, 2024

Biden Calling Zelensky ‘Putin’ Was ‘Unpardonable’

Even as Trump began characterizing Zelensky as a “salesman,” he said a mistake Biden made introducing Zelensky to a NATO summit as “Putin” was “unpardonable.”

“But I thought the worst part of the press conference was the moment during the day when he introduced Zelensky, and he introduced him as Vladimir Putin, that was not good,” Trump said in a radio interview. “That was unpardonable. You can’t do that.”

July 19, 2024

Trump Praises ‘Very Good Phone Call’ With Zelensky

Shortly after Trump’s first assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, he and Zelensky spoke over the phone, with Trump saying he appreciated Zelensky “reaching out.”

“President Zelensky of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today,” Trump said on Truth Social. “He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States.

“He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times.

“I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”

August 23, 2024

Trump Says Zelensky Was ‘100 Percent Good’

During an interview with conservative podcaster Shawn Ryan in August 2024, Trump suggested that Zelensky was by some measure “involved” in what he called the 2019 impeachment “hoax.” He nonetheless praised Zelensky’s response over their communications, telling Ryan the Ukrainian leader’s response was “100 percent good” and, again, “very honorable.”

September 27, 2024

Trump Touts ‘Very Good Relationship’

Zelensky and Trump continued their one-on-one conversations in September 2024 when the Ukrainian leader visited Trump Tower in New York City.

“We have a very good relationship. I also have a very good relationship with President Putin and, you know, I think if we win, we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” Trump said, adding that Zelensky had “gone through hell.”

However, earlier the same week, Trump said at a campaign event in North Carolina that Zelensky had been making “nasty little aspersions” about him. Zelensky had publicly expressed doubts about Trump’s plans to end the war.

“Look at the war in Ukraine, and I think it’s something we have to have a quick discussion about, because the President of Ukraine is in our country and he’s making little nasty aspersions toward your favorite President, me,” Trump said, adding that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had been “feeding Zelensky money and munitions like no country has ever seen before. Every time he came to our country, he’d walk away with $60 billion.”

At the same North Carolina event, he claimed Zelensky “refuses to make a deal” to end the war, previewing some of the commentary in the months ahead.

December 8, 2024

Zelensky Wants To Make ‘A Deal…Stop The Madness’

Following a meeting in Paris between Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump claimed the Ukrainian leader was ready to negotiate the war’s end.

“Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump wrote. “They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.

“Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir [Putin] well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”

After Trump’s election win in November, Zelensky called to congratulate him, although details of the conversation were not repeated or summarized. The conversation drew further attention after it was revealed that billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk had joined the call.

January 22, 2025

Trump Says Zelensky Is ‘No Angel’

In his first sit-down interview since returning to the White House, Trump struck out at Zelensky, saying he is “no angel,” suggesting he shared the blame for the violence.

Trump criticized Zelensky for wanting to fight the war despite massive military deficiencies compared to Russia.

“And Zelensky, I will say this, he wants to settle now, he’s had enough. He shouldn’t have allowed this to happen, either,” Trump told Fox News. “You know, he’s no angel. He shouldn’t have allowed this war to happen.”

In the same interview, Trump said Putin should not have invaded and that he would impose “massive tariffs” on Russia if it “didn’t settle the war soon.”

February 18-19, 2025

Trump Calls Zelensky ‘A Dictator Without Elections’

In a significant escalation, Trump lashed out at Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader said Trump was being influenced by Russian disinformation.

The spat began after Trump said during a news conference on February 18 that Ukraine bore responsibility for the war and that it should have elections, despite Ukraine being under martial law. Trump also falsely alleged that Zelensky had a 4 percent approval rating.

Zelensky responded by saying he would “like Trump’s team to be more truthful,” adding that “President Trump, with great respect for him as a leader of the people (…) unfortunately, lives in this disinformation space.”

Hitting back via Truth Social, Trump wrote on February 19, 2025, that Zelensky was “A Dictator without Elections” who “better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left.” The post included false claims that the U.S. had spent $350 billion on Ukraine aid and that the war had killed “millions.”

February 27, 2025

Trump Tempers ‘Dictator’ Comment

Just over a week later, during a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump appeared to soften his “dictator” criticism. Asked by a reporter if he still believed what he said, Trump responded: “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.”

He added that he wanted to “work with him” and that they had a “very good relationship.”

February 28, 2025

Oval Office Argument

Scheduled as part of a deal trading Ukraine’s precious earth minerals for U.S. aid, a joint press conference in the Oval Office between Trump, Vance and Zelensky fell to pieces with Trump effectively kicking Zelensky out of the White House in an acrimonious display on live television.

In the exchange, Trump began to speak up after Zelensky said the U.S. may “feel” the effects of the war with Russia. Trump responded: “You don’t know that. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.”

Zelensky tried to explain, but Vance and Trump continued, with Trump adding: “You right now are not in a very good position. You’ve allowed yourself to be in a very bad position. You don’t have the cards right now. With us, you start having the cards.

“You’re gambling with lives of millions of people, you’re gambling with World War III and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to this country.”

Trump went on to complain that Zelensky was refusing the terms of a ceasefire and was not “acting at all thankful.”

Zelensky departed shortly after, without signing a deal.

What Now?

Trump attacked Zelensky via social media on Monday, after the Ukrainian leader said a deal to end the war with Russia “is still very, very far away.”

“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote.

“It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing, and Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelensky, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S.—Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?”​

However, despite reports based on administration official comments, Trump said he has not discussed cutting aid to Ukraine.

“I haven’t even talked about that right now,” he replied when asked if he planned to suspend aid.

He added that things were moving so fast on Ukraine that, “I could give you an answer now and go back into my office… and find out it’s obsolete.”

Zelensky said he was still “very much hoping” for American support. In a post on X, he said: “We are working together with America and our European partners and very much hope [for] US support on the path to peace. Peace is needed as soon as possible.

“It is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible. We need real peace, and Ukrainians want it most because the war ruins our cities and towns. We lose our people. We need to stop the war and to guarantee security.”