BBC Verify
Getty Images
US President Donald Trump has accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia, making these claims from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Trump also spoke about President Volodymyr Zelensky’s popularity and noted that Ukraine had suspended elections due to martial law, following heightened tensions with Moscow.
Trump’s comments echoed some of Russia’s narratives regarding the conflict. This came shortly after US officials began talks with Russian delegates in Riyadh aimed at ending a war that has persisted for nearly three years.
In response, Zelensky accused Trump of operating in a “disinformation space” orchestrated by Russia.
BBC Verify has analyzed Trump’s statements to determine their accuracy.
Trump’s Claim: “You Should Have Never Started It”
Trump suggested that Ukraine had started the war in 2014, an assertion that has been unequivocally refuted by historical evidence.
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea following the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych by a democratic uprising in Ukraine.
Russia has also supported separatist groups in eastern Ukraine since 2014, accusing Kyiv of discrimination against ethnic Russians.
These accusations have been rejected by the International Court of Justice, which found no basis for Russia’s claims.
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, asserting the need to “demilitarize and denazify” the country and prevent its potential NATO membership.
A significant portion of the Ukrainian population opposes right-wing ideologies, with only 2% supporting far-right candidates in the last parliamentary elections.
NATO has consistently stated that Ukraine is a future candidate but has not yet entered any formal process for membership.
Trump’s Claim: “I Hate to Say It, But He’s Down at 4% Approval Rating”
Trump cited Zelensky’s approval rating as having fallen to 4%, a claim without any cited sources.
A recent survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed trust in Zelensky at 57%, down from its peak of 90% in May 2022.
However, other polls suggest Zelensky trailing in election projections, indicating he could face Valerii Zaluzhnyi in a run-off.
Polling remains challenging due to the war, with displacement and Russian control affecting survey accuracy.
Getty Images
Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi could be a rival to President Zelensky were he to run in any future election, some polls suggest
Russian media outlets have cited a dubious poll by Oleksandr Dubinsky, a Ukrainian MP accused of operating with Russian intelligence.
Dubinsky has been charged with treason in Ukraine but claims are denied.
Trump’s Claim: “We Have a Situation Where We Haven’t Had Elections in Ukraine, Where We Have Essentially Martial Law in Ukraine”
Elections have been suspended in Ukraine due to martial law imposed after the 2022 invasion.
Martial law was initially drafted in 2015, in response to the annexation of Crimea.
In November, Ukraine’s parliament agreed to postpone elections until the war ends, a position supported by 60% of the population.
Zelensky has vowed to hold elections once the conflict ceases.
Trump’s comment mimicked Russia’s frequent assertion about the legitimacy of Zelensky’s leadership, particularly as Zelensky’s term formally ended in May 2024.
The Kremlin has repeatedly questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy, describing him as “illegitimate” in recent messages.
Trump acknowledged this but noted it was not a uniquely Russian claim.
Additional reporting by BBC Monitoring.
In conclusion, while Trump’s statements gained traction, several key points are clear: Ukraine did not initiate the war, Zelensky’s approval ratings fluctuated but remain significant, and martial law暂停 elections amidst the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s comments reflect broader narratives often echoed by Russia but do not align with widely accepted facts.
Stay informed and engaged. Like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for daily updates.
Share this article on social media to help others stay updated on the latest developments.
