Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has refuted false claims made by former US President Donald Trump, who wrongly accused Ukraine of initiating the conflict with Russia. Zelensky, speaking in Kyiv, expressed disappointment in Trump's dissemination of disinformation and emphasized the enduring support of the American people towards Ukraine.
Recent high-level talks between US and Russian officials in Riyadh aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine excluded Kyiv, prompting Trump's misleading remarks. The discussions resulted in the agreement to establish top-level negotiation teams and the commitment to reestablish diplomatic communication channels.
Trump's erroneous assertion that Ukraine instigated the conflict contradicts the well-documented sequence of events. The conflict originated in 2014 when Russia unlawfully annexed Crimea and began backing pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. The situation escalated in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion, perpetrating attacks on Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky's response underscores the importance of factual accuracy in international discourse and highlights the need for inclusive diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The Kremlin's persistent dissemination of misinformation regarding the conflict further complicates the path to peace in the region.
