Former President Donald Trump has ignited a fresh diplomatic storm after making disparaging remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's military clothing during a private fundraising event.
According to sources present at the gathering, Trump described Zelensky - who has become a global symbol of wartime leadership - as looking like he was "straight out of central casting" while wearing his signature military green attire.
Private Comments, Public Fallout
The controversial comments were made behind closed doors at a high-dollar fundraiser in New York, where Trump was reportedly criticising the substantial American financial support flowing to Ukraine. Multiple attendees confirmed the former president's remarks, which have since circulated among political circles.
President Zelensky, who has rarely been seen out of military uniform since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, has used his distinctive appearance to project an image of a nation under siege and its leader sharing the hardships of his people.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
The remarks come at a particularly sensitive moment in US-Ukraine relations, with crucial military aid packages facing opposition from some Republican lawmakers and questions emerging about the future of American support should Trump return to the White House.
Political analysts suggest the comments reveal Trump's continuing scepticism about the level of American involvement in the conflict, a position that has become increasingly prominent within the Republican party.
Reaction and Ramifications
While the Ukrainian government has maintained diplomatic silence on the matter, the comments have drawn criticism from European allies and some US politicians who see them as undermining Western unity.
"At a time when Ukraine is fighting for its very existence, such remarks from a potential future US president are deeply concerning," commented one European diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between Trump's "America First" approach and the traditional US role as a leader in supporting democratic allies facing aggression.
