Fact Check: "The Ukrainian president is a dictator and responsible for the war"
What We Know
The claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a dictator and responsible for the ongoing war with Russia is rooted in recent statements made by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has characterized Zelensky as a "dictator without elections," pointing to the fact that Ukraine has not held presidential elections since 2019 due to martial law imposed after Russia's invasion in February 2022 (source-1). However, this martial law was established in response to an external threat, not as a means of consolidating power.
Zelensky won the presidency in a competitive election, receiving 73% of the vote in a runoff, and independent observers noted that the election respected fundamental freedoms (source-1). The suspension of elections is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict, and Zelensky has indicated that elections will be held once the war concludes (source-1).
Furthermore, the assertion that Ukraine is responsible for the war contradicts established facts. Russia initiated the conflict with a full-scale invasion in February 2022, following years of aggression that included the annexation of Crimea in 2014 (source-2).
Analysis
The characterization of Zelensky as a dictator is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that elections have been suspended, this is a temporary measure due to the extraordinary circumstances of war, not an indication of authoritarian rule. The martial law in Ukraine was enacted in 2015, well before Zelensky took office, as a response to Russian aggression (source-1).
Critics of Trump's statements, including Zelensky himself, have pointed out that such claims echo Russian propaganda aimed at undermining Ukraine's legitimacy (source-2). Additionally, the notion that Ukraine started the war is factually incorrect; Russia's military actions initiated the conflict (source-3).
The sources used to support Trump's claims, particularly those from Russian-aligned figures, lack credibility. For instance, Oleksandr Dubinsky, a Ukrainian MP cited by some media to support Trump's claims, has been charged with treason and is considered to have ties to Russian intelligence (source-1).
Conclusion
The claim that President Zelensky is a dictator and responsible for the war in Ukraine is False. The suspension of elections is a direct result of martial law due to an ongoing war initiated by Russia, and Zelensky's leadership has been validated through a competitive electoral process. The narrative that Ukraine is to blame for the conflict aligns with Russian disinformation efforts and lacks factual support.
Sources
- Fact-checking Donald Trump's claims about war in Ukraine
- Trump calls Zelenskyy a 'dictator' as he tries to pressure Kyiv to accept deal to end war
- Trump falsely calls Ukraine's Zelenskyy a 'dictator'
- Is Zelenskyy a Dictator? Fact-Checking Trump's Russia Claims
- Fact-checking Trump's main criticisms of Zelensky
- Trump's False and Misleading Ukraine Claims
- Fact-checking Trump claims about war in Ukraine
- Trump fires back, calls Zelenskyy a 'dictator' in Truth Social
