In a recent interview, Zelenskyy reportedly pushed back against critics pushing for his ouster
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid ongoing debates regarding a diesel arrangement between the US and Russia, social media has been buzzing with an unverified rumor suggesting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly urged Americans to elect a new leader. Because this claim quickly generated backlash and criticism directed at President Donald Trump, a closer examination of the facts is necessary.
The Claim: Did Volodymyr Zelenskyy tell Americans to pick a new president?
A widely shared post on Facebook asserted that Zelenskyy had challenged US citizens to find a new head of state.
The online rumor gained traction shortly after Trump publicly suggested that Zelenskyy needed to be replaced, remarking that the Ukrainian leader “should stop” following his disapproval of the US-Russia fuel deal.
“I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump told White House reporters.
“Zelenskyy could have settled this war many times, many, many times, and he chooses not to. Very difficult. It’s a war that should have never been started. If I were present, if the election weren’t rigged, I would have been president and that war would have never started,” Trump added.
While the statement drew swift reactions across social media, many users remained doubtful and sought out a formal review of the claim.
The Reality: The viral story stems from a satirical source
In truth, the allegation is entirely unfounded. There is no documentation showing that the Ukrainian president ever called on the American public to oust Trump.
No official press releases, government announcements, recent interviews, or verified social media posts from Zelenskyy contain any such remarks.
Had the Ukrainian leader issued such a provocative statement, major news organizations would have covered it extensively. Furthermore, standard web searches yield no legitimate evidence supporting the rumor.
The origin of the post traces back to ‘The Borowitz Report,’ a well-known satirical publication, which shared the piece via its official Andy Borowitz Facebook page.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy responds to pressure over his position
During a discussion with ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl, Zelenskyy addressed those advocating for his removal from power, arguing that such critics simply “can’t find a key [for] how to stop” Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“These people can’t find a key how to stop Putin,” Zelenskyy stated. “Because it’s more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others. Because it’s simpler to speak about the prices and connect it with Ukraine.”
He further emphasized the need for transparency, noting, “And if we want to speak with people fairly, if we want to be clear, if we want to speak with our nations openly, we have to stop –– I mean, people have to hear reality. Don’t play games with people.”