Trump calls Russia's statements about Zelensky's illegitimacy «posturing» and threatens Moscow with economic war
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- Iryna Olekhnovych
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11:25, 27 August, 2025
US President Donald Trump. Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty ImagesUS President Donald Trump has called «posturing» statements by Russian officials about the alleged illegitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He warned that Moscow could face an «economic war» if it does not stop its aggression against Ukraine.
He said this on 26 August during a conversation with journalists at the White House, DW reports.
During the meeting, one of the journalists asked whether Trump had received signals from Russia regarding its position on the legitimacy of the Ukrainian president. She recalled a recent statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who claimed that his country «did not consider Zelenskyy a legitimate participant in peace talks».
«It doesn't matter what they say. It's all nonsense. They all strike a pose. It's all nonsense, okay? Everyone is posturing,» Trump replied.
The American leader stressed that he does not take such statements seriously
Trump also noted that he wants Russia's war against Ukraine to end as soon as possible, as «thousands of people are killed every week». Among the possible tools to put pressure on Moscow, Trump named «economic war».
«This is not a world war, but an economic war, and it will be a disaster for Russia. Although I would not want that,» he stressed.
At the same time, the US president noted that «Zelenskyy is not entirely innocent either, it takes two to tango». However, he stressed that he currently has good relations with the Ukrainian leader, especially after America stopped the practice of supplying weapons to Kyiv for free.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that his country allegedly does not insist on the state status of the Russian language in Ukraine as part of peace talks.
