US President Donald Trump has stirred up renewed controversy with his comments on the war in Ukraine, claiming that Russia is behaving “acceptably” towards Ukraine and has not been doing much lately. He also suggested that someone other than Volodymyr Zelensky should lead peace negotiations. In an unexpected twist, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko—a close political ally of Vladimir Putin—came to Zelensky’s defense.
Trump’s statements come as Russian attacks on Ukraine continue. In the Kharkiv region, a drone strike killed six people, including two children. The American president’s comments have once again raised questions about the future direction of US policy toward Moscow and Kyiv.
Trump Questions Zelensky’s Role in Peace Talks
On Monday, October 19, Donald Trump declared that in his view, Russia has been acting in an appropriate manner towards Ukraine and has not done much recently. He also indicated that it may be time for someone other than Zelensky to conduct negotiations with Moscow.
The US president has repeatedly criticized the Ukrainian leader, arguing that the war could have ended earlier if Kyiv had accepted his ideas for a settlement. Trump also accused Zelensky of an alleged lack of willingness to achieve peace.
These remarks come at a time of tension between Washington and Kyiv. Ukraine fears a curtailment of American support, which has been vital for its defense against the Russian invasion.
Trump also mentioned the possibility of meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to his remarks, Ukraine would not necessarily be the main topic of such a meeting.
Lukashenko: Ukrainians Decide Who Leads Their Country
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, one of Putin’s closest allies, delivered a surprising response. According to Lukashenko, Trump has no right to dictate to Ukraine who should be its leader.
“That is not a question for Trump. It is up to the Ukrainian people to decide who will be president of Ukraine,” Lukashenko said, according to Belarusian state agency BelTA.
However, he partly supported Trump’s criticism of Zelensky regarding elections. Lukashenko noted that before taking office, Ukraine’s president had spoken of serving only one term.
Lukashenko stated that promises should be kept, but the decision about the next president must remain in the hands of Ukrainian citizens. He also emphasized that the American president has no right to dictate to Kyiv how it should proceed.
Ukraine currently operates under wartime conditions that have been in place since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian law prohibits holding nationwide elections while martial law is in effect.
Lukashenko Points to Ukraine’s Dependence on US Support
The Belarusian president also explained why, in his view, Trump is able to put such pressure on Zelensky. Ukraine, he said, relies heavily on US weapons, intelligence, and other support for its defense.
Lukashenko pointed out that Washington could limit this assistance if relations between the two countries deteriorate further. However, his comments should also be interpreted in light of his own political position.
Belarus is closely tied to Russia, and Russian troops used Belarusian territory at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lukashenko’s remarks therefore represent a rare moment when a Russian-aligned leader publicly rejected Trump’s idea of deciding who should lead Ukraine.
Trump Shifts Stance on Russia Policy
Trump’s most recent comments have also signaled a shift in his attitude toward energy relations with Russia. According to media reports, American officials have proposed that Europe consider renewing purchases of Russian natural gas as part of discussions to end the war.
This approach contrasts with the earlier calls from the US president for European countries to decrease their dependency on Russian energy resources. Washington is also reportedly discussing options for trade deals with Moscow, including imports of Russian diesel fuel.
Energy policy and the war in Ukraine are increasingly intertwined. Any easing of sanctions or resumption of trade could have consequences for European energy security and the pressure on Russia.
Russian Attacks Continue Despite Peace Discussions
Trump’s remarks came on the same day that a Russian drone attack in the Kharkiv region killed six civilians, including two children. Russia also launched ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv overnight, hitting energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian leadership has emphasized that diplomatic negotiations must take into account the ongoing attacks and the need for security guarantees. Kyiv rejects the notion that great powers should decide its future without direct Ukrainian involvement.
How events will unfold will depend on the stances of Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and European allies. It remains unclear whether a concrete negotiation format can be agreed upon to halt the fighting.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
