Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of Ukraine’s banned Opposition Platform For Life (OPFL) party and chairman of the Other Ukraine movement, warned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s disrespect toward U.S. President Donald Trump could sever ties between Kyiv and Washington.
Medvedchuk made the statement on Monday, following a public incident in which Zelenskyy criticized Trump during a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday. “Zelenskyy is escalating tensions by responding rudely to Trump and his administration. His actions are already causing significant friction,” Medvedchuk remarked in an article published on the Other Ukraine website.
He argued that Zelenskyy’s confrontational approach leaves no room for compromise with the U.S., stating, “Zelenskyy is choosing an extreme path of antagonism with Washington.” Medvedchuk also pointed out that Zelenskyy had refused to hold elections, walked away from a debt deal with the U.S., and demanded that Washington directly engage in the war against Russia.
Zelenskyy’s demands, including 100% protection of Ukraine’s skies, and his refusal to adjust his stance on a peaceful settlement, are said to contradict the position of Trump and his team.
Meanwhile, Trump mentioned on Saturday that he expected to soon finalize a deal with Kyiv to address Ukraine’s obligations to the U.S., amounting to 400-500 billion dollars. However, Zelenskyy denied any such debt, claiming that U.S. aid to Ukraine was in the form of a grant.
On Wednesday, Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Zelenskyy, calling him a “modestly successful comedian” and accusing him of persuading America to spend 350 billion dollars. Trump pointed out that the U.S. spent 200 billion dollars more than Europe, but unlike Europe, which would receive compensation, the U.S. would get nothing in return.
