Category President Donald Trump

Trump rift opens floodgates of disinformation on Ukraine

Disinformation targeting Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky is surging as US President Donald Trump's shift on the war frays relations with Kyiv and threatens to cripple support for the battle-worn nation. [...]

Joseph Bodnar, a researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (archived here), said the Russian influence efforts are focused "on fostering animosity between the Trump and Zelensky administrations."

"Russia wants to convince US negotiators that Ukraine is their enemy, not their partner. It's a means for the Kremlin to extract favorable terms in whatever peace settlement comes."

Read MoreTrump rift opens floodgates of disinformation on Ukraine

Dictator without elections’?: fact-checking Trump’s main criticisms of Zelensky

In mid-February 2025, Donald Trump multiplied his attacks against Volodymyr Zelensky, branding the Ukrainian president a "dictator without elections," questioning the use of American aid to Ukraine, and accusing him of "starting" the war. Here is a look back at these statements, which were false, misleading or unsubstantiated according to AFP's analysis, revealing unprecedented tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

Read MoreDictator without elections’?: fact-checking Trump’s main criticisms of Zelensky

Trump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?

Did Ukraine start its war with Russia, as President Donald Trump said? No, Russia invaded

Media outlets worldwide covered Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged it as a "special military operation," saying the offensive would "seek to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine."

For years, Russia has sought to blame Ukrainian actions for its invasion.

Read MoreTrump says Ukraine started the war that’s killing its citizens. What are the facts?

Claims that Ukraine banned Truth Social are false

US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in a rift between the two leaders as Kyiv remains locked in a three-year-old war started by a Russian invasion. However, claims that Zelensky retaliated by banning Truth Social are false -- representatives for the social network said it had not launched in Ukraine, and the government there said Trump's platform would be welcome.

Read MoreClaims that Ukraine banned Truth Social are false

How much aid has the US given to Ukraine?

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US has been the country providing the largest amount of assistance to Ukraine in cash terms. However, it’s not clear what the figures of $300 billion or $350 billion are based on, and these figures have been widely questioned.

Read MoreHow much aid has the US given to Ukraine?

Fact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

How common is it for democracies to postpone elections during wartime?

Under the terms of Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law (which was declared by Mr Zelensky in February 2022 following Russia's invasion, and has been extended multiple times by Ukraine’s parliament).

Experts have also noted a number of practical obstacles to holding elections - around one-fifth of the country is currently occupied by Russia, millions of Ukrainians are displaced or serving on front lines, and there are security concerns.

Read MoreFact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image | The Independent

Fact check: What is the truth behind Trump’s claims on Ukraine? | Euronews

Zelenskyy is not a 'dictator' with 4% approval rating
The US does not provide Ukraine with more support than the EU
Russia is deploying significant military resources in Ukraine

Read MoreFact check: What is the truth behind Trump’s claims on Ukraine? | Euronews

Fact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image

Under the terms of Ukraine's constitution, elections cannot be held while the country is under martial law (which was declared by Mr Zelensky in February 2022 following Russia's invasion, and has been extended multiple times by Ukraine's parliament).

Experts have also noted a number of practical obstacles to holding elections - around one-fifth of the country is currently occupied by Russia, millions of Ukrainians are displaced or serving on front lines, and there are security concerns.

Read MoreFact check: Ukraine elections, tax thresholds and viral masked men image

PolitiFact checks facts on Donald Trump’s Ukraine comments

While answering reporters' questions about U.S. and Russian representatives meeting in Saudi Arabia without anyone from Ukraine present, the president said, "But today I heard, 'Oh we weren't invited.' Well, you've been there for three years. You should have ended it three years. You should have never started it. You could have made a deal."

WMUR's partners at PolitiFact looked into this statement. PolitiFact's Lou Jacobson joins to examine the claims.

Read MorePolitiFact checks facts on Donald Trump’s Ukraine comments

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Fact Check Roundup: Trump’s Zelensky claims and more