Published: February 23, 2026 1:47 pm
Author: RT
The Ukrainian leader also hinted that the US president will not remain in power forever
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has rejected US President Donald Trump’s accusation that he is a dictator, while hinting that Trump will not remain in power forever. Russia considers Zelensky to be illegitimate, as his presidential term expired almost two years ago.
In an interview with the BBC released on Sunday, Zelensky was asked to comment on Trump’s accusation that he is “a dictator who started the war.” Zelensky responded by laughing, saying: “I am not a dictator, and I didn’t start the war, that’s it.”
Asked whether the US president can be trusted to uphold security guarantees that would accompany a peace deal with Russia, Zelensky suggested that Trump will not be in power forever.
“It is not only President Trump, we’re talking about America. We are all presidents for the appropriate terms. We want guarantees for 30 years for example. Political elites will change, leaders will change,” he said.
READ MORE: Zelensky on US presidents and NATO chances: ‘Some live, some die’
In December, while commenting on the Trump administration’s reluctance to support Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, Zelensky seemed to hint that this could change if Trump dies in office: “Maybe the position will change in the future… The world changes, some live, some die. That’s life.”
Zelensky’s presidential term expired in May 2024, but he has refused to hold an election, citing martial law. Russia considers him illegitimate, arguing that his legal status is an obstacle to signing a binding peace agreement.
Trump called Zelensky a “dictator without elections” in February 2025, followed by an Oval Office meeting that devolved into a televised row, with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance accusing Zelensky of ingratitude for US assistance in the conflict with Russia.
Trump has since urged Ukraine to hold elections. Faced with mounting US pressure, Zelensky said he is open to holding an election – but demanded Western security guarantees. Officials in Kiev have also complained that they need additional financial assistance to organize elections.
