Scholz Rejects Trump's Claims Regarding Zelensky's Leadership

The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, has firmly countered assertions made by former U.S. President Donald Trump concerning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump alleged that Ukraine bears responsibility for the ongoing conflict with Russia and questioned Zelensky's democratic legitimacy. In response, Scholz emphasized in an interview with ARD radio that it is essential to recognize that Russia initiated the war. He noted that Russia also halted gas deliveries to Germany, underscoring that Ukraine should not be held accountable for the war.

During a visit to a shipyard in Bremerhaven, Scholz refuted Trump's claim that Zelensky is a 'dictator'. Scholz clarified that Zelensky is a democratically elected leader who won against competitors in elections. He pointed out that the Ukrainian populace has expressed a strong desire for the establishment of a rule of law within their country.

Trump's statements on his social media platform, Truth Social, labeled Zelensky a 'dictator without elections'. This narrative has been echoed by Russia, which claims that Zelensky lacks democratic legitimacy due to the absence of elections since his election in 2019. The suspension of elections is attributed to the ongoing state of martial law in Ukraine. At the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky articulated that if martial law were lifted, the front against Russian invasion forces could potentially collapse.

In his conversation with ARD, Scholz reiterated that the European Union has provided Ukraine with a clear pathway toward membership. He asserted that Ukraine must be allowed to pursue its choice of being a democratic and sovereign nation on its journey towards European integration. Scholz emphasized the importance of ensuring that this path remains open.

Moreover, he noted that Ukraine needs to maintain a strong military presence in any negotiated peace scenario, indicating that European nations, along with international and transatlantic partners, share the responsibility for this support.