By Charles Switzer
1:28pm PST, Feb 22, 2025
Trump Dodges Question on Putin's Dictatorship
During a press conference on Friday, February 21, President
Donald Trump avoided directly answering whether Russian President
Vladimir Putin is a dictator. Instead of responding, Trump pivoted to discussing peace efforts, saying, "I think President Putin and President
Zelensky are going to have to get together, because, you know what, we want to stop killing millions of people."
The question followed Trump's recent Truth Social post in which he labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator," despite Ukraine's democratic elections in 2019. Trump's reluctance to use the same term for Putin, who has ruled Russia since 1999 and eliminated nearly all opposition, stood in contrast to his sharp criticism of Zelensky.
Here's what happened.
MORE:
Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
Trump's Peace Talks Sideline Ukraine
Trump has been vocal about his intentions to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, but his approach has notably excluded Ukraine from key discussions. Instead, Trump has engaged in talks directly with Russia, drawing concern from those who believe Ukraine should be at the center of any negotiations regarding its own sovereignty.
His stance aligns with his continued skepticism toward Zelensky, whom he has repeatedly accused of prolonging the war. Meanwhile, Putin has maintained a firm grip on power, with nearly all of his political opponents imprisoned, exiled or dead.
Putin's Control vs. Ukraine's Wartime Leadership
Zelensky, despite Trump's accusations, remains a democratically elected leader. Ukraine's constitution allows for the suspension of elections during wartime, which is why Zelensky has not faced reelection since Russia's invasion.
Meanwhile, Putin has ruled Russia for over two decades, maintaining power through constitutional changes and the suppression of political opposition.
A political strategist on X shared, "While Trump freely applied the term 'dictator' to Zelensky, his refusal to acknowledge Putin's authoritarian rule raises further questions about his stance on global leadership."
