Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that his approval rating dropped to 4%, calling it misinformation spread by Russia......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
Trump had on Tuesday, during the signing of Executive Orders at the Mar-a-lago in Florida, said Zelenskyy had lost the support of most Ukrainians.
“I hate to say it, but he’s down at a 4% approval rating”, Trump said, calling for elections in Ukraine.
However, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Zelenskyy insisted that he has the confidence of his people.
“If someone thinks they can replace me right now, it won’t work,” he stated citing a survey conducted hours after Trump’s comments, in which he received a 58% approval rating.
Addressing Trump’s remarks, Zelenskyy said, “With all due respect to President Trump as a leader, he is living in a space filled with disinformation.
“These numbers are being discussed between America and Russia,” he added.
Trump’s comments echoed claims by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, challenging the legitimacy of Zelenskyy’s leadership.
The tenure of the Ukrainian president who was elected in 2019 on a five-year term, was supposed to elapse in May last year, but the martial law introduced on February 24, 2022 allowed him to continue serving.
Zelenskyy has argued that holding an election under the present circumstances would be impossible due to security risks, as millions of Ukrainians are living abroad or fighting in the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s former national security advisor and special envoy to Ukraine, arrived in Kyiv earlier today for discussions with Zelenskyy.
Speaking on the importance of the meeting, Zelenskyy said it would help the U.S. have a better picture of the real situation on the ground.
“It is very important for me that he walks the streets of Kyiv and other cities,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Kellogg’s previous claims that 20-30% of Ukraine’s capital was in ruins.
“I want him to see everything for himself, speak with people about whether they trust their president or Putin, and ask them what they think about Trump’s comments,” he stated.
The Ukrainian president also provided a financial update on the war, stating that it has cost an estimated $320bn so far. According to him, $120bn came from Ukrainian taxpayers while $200bn was from international allies, including the U.S. and the European Union.
Zelenskyy also addressed Trump’s proposal that the U.S. should receive a portion of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, including lithium and titanium, in exchange for continued military support.
He revealed that he rejected the offer because the initial draft suggested giving the U.S. 50% ownership of Ukraine’s mineral resources, without including security guarantees.
“I am protecting Ukraine. I can’t sell it away. I can’t sell our state,” he stated.