Trump Sidesteps "Dictator" Label for Zelenskyy Amid Ukraine Peace Push and Rare Earths Deal
President Donald Trump faced repeated questions Thursday regarding his recent characterization of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a "dictator," but largely avoided directly addressing the controversial statement as he focused on ongoing efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia and finalize a significant agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals.
The day’s events unfolded against a backdrop of intense diplomatic activity, with Trump hosting U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House for discussions encompassing the war in Ukraine, trade relations, and the enduring strength of the U.S.-U.K. alliance. The shadow of Trump’s past remarks about Zelenskyy, however, loomed large over the proceedings.
Just last week, Trump had ignited a firestorm of criticism when he branded Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections" on his social media platform, Truth Social. The statement came after Ukraine was initially excluded from U.S.-led peace talks with Russia, a decision that drew considerable scrutiny. Trump further accused Zelenskyy of potentially prolonging the conflict for personal gain, fueling speculation about a growing rift between the two leaders.
The issue resurfaced during Thursday’s events, with reporters seizing multiple opportunities to press Trump on his "dictator" label. During a joint appearance with Starmer, one reporter alluded to the contrasting viewpoints, noting Starmer’s description of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a dictator and Trump’s similar characterization of Zelenskyy. Trump sidestepped the query. Later, another reporter directly asked if Trump still believed Zelenskyy was a dictator. "Did I say that?" Trump responded, seemingly feigning ignorance. "I can’t believe I said that. Next question."
The pattern continued after the leaders met in the Oval Office. A reporter again confronted Trump, asking if he would apologize to Zelenskyy for his remarks, particularly in light of his apparent praise for Putin. Trump, rather than address the "dictator" accusation, pivoted to the upcoming meeting with Zelenskyy. "I think we’re going to have a very good meeting tomorrow," he said, projecting an image of amicable relations. "We’re going to get along really well."
Despite the controversy surrounding the "dictator" comment, Trump emphasized his efforts to facilitate a resolution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He told reporters that he had engaged in "very successful" calls with both Putin and Zelenskyy, expressing optimism about the progress being made toward peace. "I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and I think it’s moving along pretty rapidly," Trump asserted.
He further highlighted Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to the White House, scheduled for Friday, where the two leaders are expected to finalize a "historic agreement" granting the United States significant access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, including rare earths, oils, and gases. Trump described the deal as being "pretty close" to completion, envisioning it as the foundation for a "sustainable future" between the two countries. The meeting is slated for around 11 a.m., with the anticipated signing ceremony solidifying the agreement.
While Ukraine dominated much of the conversation, tariffs also emerged as a point of discussion during Trump’s meeting with Starmer. A reporter inquired whether Starmer had managed to dissuade Trump from imposing tariffs on the U.K. Trump acknowledged Starmer’s efforts and suggested that a comprehensive trade deal might render tariffs unnecessary. "I think there’s a very good chance that, in the case of these two great friendly countries, I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary," Trump stated, leaving the door open to future negotiations.
Beyond the immediate issues of Ukraine and trade, the meeting served to underscore the enduring strength of the U.S.-U.K. alliance, a relationship that Trump and Starmer both affirmed as being "special." In a symbolic gesture of goodwill, Starmer presented Trump with a letter from King Charles III, extending an invitation for the president and first lady to undertake a state visit to the United Kingdom. Starmer emphasized the unprecedented nature of the invitation, noting that it would mark a second state visit for Trump, a historic occurrence. Trump accepted the invitation, expressing his gratitude to Starmer and complimenting his accent. "What a beautiful accent," Trump remarked. "I would have been president 20 years ago if I had that accent."
The day’s events revealed a complex diplomatic landscape, with Trump navigating sensitive issues surrounding Ukraine, Russia, and trade relations, all while attempting to downplay his controversial characterization of Zelenskyy. The upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, and the anticipated signing of the rare earths agreement, suggest a continued effort to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Ukraine, even as questions linger about Trump’s past rhetoric and its potential impact on the relationship. The focus on peace talks also indicates a desire to assert U.S. leadership in resolving the ongoing conflict, despite previous setbacks and criticisms of the administration’s approach. The U.S.-U.K. relationship, meanwhile, appears to remain solid, bolstered by shared interests and a mutual commitment to cooperation, as exemplified by the King’s invitation and the ongoing discussions on trade.
