New York – The ongoing war of words between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified as Trump warned that a deal to end Ukraine’s war with Russia could be reached without Zelenskyy’s involvement.

In a message on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump issued a stark ultimatum: “Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.” He further asserted, “We are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only ‘TRUMP,’ and the Trump Administration, can do.”

Rising Tensions Over Peace Talks

The warning comes after Zelenskyy expressed frustration that Ukraine was not included in recent diplomatic talks between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh. He reiterated that Ukraine would not accept any peace deal negotiated without its direct participation. Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskyy criticized Trump, accusing him of being misled by Russian propaganda and “living in a web of disinformation.”

Trump quickly responded, calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections.” The former president has previously accused Ukraine of starting the war, despite Russia launching the invasion in 2022. Trump’s claim that Zelenskyy is a dictator stems from Ukraine’s decision to postpone elections due to the war, a move that extended Zelenskyy’s tenure beyond his five-year term.

As the key financial and military backer of Ukraine, Trump appears to believe that the United States, under his leadership, would have the authority to push Kyiv into accepting terms that he negotiates with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Progress in U.S.-Russia Talks

Amid these political exchanges, delegations led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met for over four hours on Tuesday to discuss potential resolutions to the war. Following the meeting, both sides expressed optimism, with Rubio stating that Russia was ready for “a serious process” to end the war swiftly. Lavrov described the discussions as “useful.”

A key outcome of these talks was an agreement to restore diplomatic relations to full operational status. The U.S. and Russia, which had scaled down their embassies in each other’s countries, committed to reinstating full diplomatic staffing as part of a broader effort to facilitate negotiations.

Trump Criticizes U.S. Support for Ukraine

Trump also used his Truth Social platform to criticize the financial burden the U.S. has borne in supporting Ukraine, arguing that European countries should contribute more. “Zelenskyy talked the United States of America into spending $350 billion, to go into a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start, but a war that he, without the U.S. and ‘TRUMP,’ will never be able to settle,” Trump wrote.

He suggested that because Europe is geographically closer to Ukraine, European nations should take on an equal share of the financial and military commitments instead of relying heavily on the U.S.

Global Concerns Over Ukraine’s Exclusion

The exclusion of Ukraine from the peace talks in Riyadh has raised concerns among European allies and Ukrainian officials, who argue that any resolution to the conflict must directly involve Ukraine to ensure its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Western leaders, particularly in the European Union and NATO, have reiterated their support for Ukraine, emphasizing that any peace deal must be acceptable to Kyiv. Critics of Trump’s approach argue that a U.S.-Russia-negotiated agreement without Ukraine’s consent could lead to an unfavorable and unstable outcome.

Uncertain Future for Ukraine’s War Efforts

As the war continues, Ukraine remains reliant on Western military and financial assistance to sustain its resistance against Russia. The outcome of diplomatic efforts—including Trump’s claim of exclusive negotiation power—remains uncertain, leaving Ukraine’s future at a critical crossroads.

With the U.S. presidential election approaching, Trump’s stance on Ukraine is likely to become a significant point of debate, especially as global tensions rise and the pressure to end the war intensifies. Whether Zelenskyy and Ukraine will be included in future negotiations remains a pressing question for international diplomacy.

For now, Ukraine continues to stand firm on its demand for direct involvement in peace talks, while Trump positions himself as the only leader capable of brokering a swift end to the war. The coming months will determine whether diplomacy or political maneuvering will shape the resolution of this devastating conflict.