Ukraine's Zelenskyy accuses Trump of spreading Russian disinformation

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump is living in a Russian-made "disinformation space" as a result of his administration's discussions with Kremlin officials. 

Zelenskyy said he "would like Trump's team to be more truthful." He made the comments shortly before he was expected to meet with Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday. 

Kellogg will meet Zelenskyy and military commanders as the U.S. shifts its policy away from years of trying to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. American and Russian diplomats met in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in talks that sidelined Ukraine and European officials.

Trump suggested on Tuesday that Kyiv was to blame for the war, which enters its fourth year next week. Russia's full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022. 

Trump, in comments to reporters on Tuesday, said: "You've been there for three years," referring to concerns that Ukraine had been excluded from talks between Russia and the U.S.

"You should've never started it. You could have made a deal," Trump said.

Trump's comments have also vexed some European officials.

"We don't understand the logic very well," French government spokesperson Sophie Primas told reporters, describing "the diverse, varied and often incomprehensible comments by President Trump."

French President Emmanuel Macron was to hold a video conference on Ukraine later Wednesday with leaders from more than 15 countries, mostly European nations, "with the aim of gathering all partners interested in peace and security" on the continent, his office said.

Key European leaders held an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday, after feeling sidelined by the Trump administration. 

Trump envoy meets with Zelenskyy

During the news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump also said Zelenskyy's approval rating in Ukraine stood at four per cent. Zelenskyy replied in a news conference in Kyiv that "we have seen this disinformation. We understand that it is coming from Russia." He said that Trump "lives in this disinformation space." 

Trump also suggested Ukraine ought to hold elections, which have been postponed due to the war and the subsequent imposition of martial law, in accordance with Ukraine's constitution. Ukraine would have been due to hold elections in spring 2024, but the safety of international monitors and citizens, many who have been displaced, can't be guaranteed.

During his first term, Trump suggested to Zelenskyy in a phone call that the Ukrainian leader should co-operate in efforts to discredit Democrat Joe Biden. U.S. aid to Ukraine was delayed, and Democrats impeached Trump for what they said was a quid pro quo, but Trump was subsequently acquitted in the Senate.

A relentless onslaught in eastern areas by Russia's bigger army is grinding down Ukrainian forces, which are slowly but steadily being pushed backward at some points on the 1,000-kilometre front line. 

Putin characterized Tuesday's talks in Riyadh as "very positive." He said officials who took part in the talks described the U.S. delegation to him as "completely different people who were open to the negotiation process without any bias, without any condemnation of what was done in the past," and determined to work together with Moscow.

Putin added that he would be "pleased" to meet Trump but noted that Trump has acknowledged that a Ukrainian settlement could take longer than he initially hoped.

In Ukraine, Kellogg said his visit to Kyiv was "a chance to have some good, substantial talks."

"Part of my mission is to sit and listen," the retired three-star general said. Kellogg said he would convey what he learns on his visit to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to "ensure that we get this one right."

Last week, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth signalled that Ukraine's hopes of joining NATO in order to ward off Russian aggression after reaching a possible peace agreement won't happen. 

Zelenskyy says any settlement will require U.S. security commitments to keep Russia at bay.