Following the security conference in Munich and the European summit in Paris, Portugal and most other European countries have dismissed President Trump’s absurd accusations against his former allies, while switching sides and befriending President Putin.
In one of his blusters, Trump accused Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy of being a “dictator”.
FACT: As confirmed by all top international news outlets, Zelenskyy is not a dictator. He won a landslide victory in the second round of Ukraine’s national election in 2019. He gained global respect after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of refusing to hold elections.
FACT: Ukraine was scheduled to hold a national election in 2024 at the end of Zelenskyy’s first five-year term in office. However, long before Zelenskyy became president, Ukraine’s constitution already forbade elections if the country was under martial law, which it has been since 2022. Zelenskyy has stated that it would be “absolutely irresponsible” to hold an election during the war. He has affirmed that new elections will be held as soon as possible, but has not indicated whether he will seek another term in office.
Trump claimed Zelenskyy had a job approval rating of just 4%.
FACT: Zelenskyy’s approval rating stands at 57%, according to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. By contrast, Trump’s job approval rating is 45%, according to Gallup.
Trump claimed Ukraine was to blame for starting the war.
FACT: It is undeniable to the whole world that President Putin is responsible for Russia’s so-called “military operation” that started the war.
Trump has also claimed that Ukraine wants to prolong the war “to keep the gravy train going,” meaning continuing aid for the war effort provided by the United States under the Biden administration.
FACT: Time and again Zelenskyy has stated that he wants to end the war, but he will not surrender. As Ukraine’s foreign minister put it: “We will defend our right to exist.”
Having turned his back on Ukraine and his NATO allies in Europe and Britain, Trump is looking forward to having a personal meeting with Putin, to build on the extensive phone conversation he has already had with the Russian leader.
The danger with Trump is that he is so capricious and unpredictable that no one knows what is coming next. The fear is that he will fully betray America’s allies, putting Europe and the wider world at serious risk."
Russia stands as the most easterly country in Europe, while Portugal is the most westerly. Despite the distance between them, Portugal has every reason to be deeply concerned about the ongoing situation. As tensions continue to rise and alliances look to be shifting, Europe faces an uncertain future.
Written by Len Port - Photo courtesy of Depositphotos.com
