How Trump’s Rhetoric on Zelenskyy and Putin Has Shifted in His Second Term

President Donald Trump began his second term claiming he could end the war in Ukraine “in 24 hours.” But since January 20, his approach toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin has evolved significantly.

With a summit set for Friday in Alaska, the meeting could be a turning point in the 3½-year-old war.

From Praise to Frustration With Putin

Early in 2025, Trump maintained a conciliatory tone toward Putin, expressing trust in the Russian leader. However, as Putin rejected Trump’s proposals for an unconditional truce and continued attacks on Ukraine, Trump’s patience began to wear thin.

By May, Trump accused Putin of having “gone absolutely CRAZY” after a wave of Russian strikes on Kyiv. In July, he described Putin as “very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless” and later said he was “very disappointed” in him for bombing civilians after speaking “beautifully.”

A Rocky Start, Then a Warmer Approach to Zelenskyy

Trump’s relationship with Zelenskyy started poorly this term. In February, he called the Ukrainian leader a “Dictator without Elections” and clashed with him in a tense Oval Office meeting. That confrontation led Trump to briefly pause military aid to pressure Ukraine toward negotiations.

By late April, after meeting Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’ funeral, Trump’s tone shifted. He expressed sympathy for Ukrainian losses and began exploring ways to provide military support, including Patriot air defense systems.

Key Moments in Trump’s Statements

  • Jan. 31: Said the war “would not have started” if he had been president and that talks with Russia were “very serious.”

  • Feb. 28: Warned Zelenskyy about “gambling with World War III,” pausing aid soon after.

  • March 30: Voiced trust in Putin to keep his word on peace.

  • April 24: Urged Putin to “STOP” missile strikes on Kyiv, citing heavy casualties.

  • May 25: Claimed Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY.”

  • June 25: Praised Zelenskyy after a NATO meeting, signaling renewed military cooperation.

  • July 14: Warned Putin time was running out for a deal and threatened “secondary tariffs” on Russia’s trading partners.

Latest Remarks Ahead of the Alaska Summit

On August 11, Trump said he “gets along with Zelenskyy” but “very severely” disagrees with him. He criticized Ukraine’s refusal to consider land swaps, questioning the need for constitutional approval to give up territory when it had been granted to wage war.

He also noted it was “very respectful” that Putin was traveling to the US for the summit rather than hosting it in Russia or a neutral location.

SOURCE: AP News