Mamuka Mdinaradze, Executive Secretary of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, claims that US President Donald Trump’s Tuesday comments on the Ukraine conflict validate the party’s stance, which has faced criticism from domestic opposition.
Mdinaradze remarked, “What American leaders are now openly discussing was just a few months or years ago enough to brand someone as pro-Russian or a traitor. Truth always finds its way, regardless of how much effort is put into shaping narratives.”
Trump’s comments on Tuesday sparked debate as he expressed disappointment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for complaining about being excluded from talks between the US and Russia aimed at resolving the war. Trump implied that Kyiv could have prevented the conflict, suggesting that Ukraine should have negotiated with Russia to avoid the war.
“I’m very disappointed, I hear that they’re upset about not having a seat [at the talks],” Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He added, “A half-baked negotiator could have secured a settlement years ago without the loss of much land.” Trump further criticized Zelensky, saying, “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.” He then labeled him a “dictator without elections” and accused him of prolonging the war for personal gain.
Trump’s comments echo Moscow’s demands, particularly his suggestion that Ukraine hold elections as part of the settlement, a move that would align with Russia’s long-standing expectations.
The US president also indicated that he might meet Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month, a statement that has raised alarm among European leaders concerned about Washington’s shifting stance on Russia. Trump’s approach stands in stark contrast to the strong support for Ukraine from other Western leaders, particularly within the European Union, who have voiced concerns about Zelensky’s exclusion from the negotiations.
European Union officials have repeatedly emphasized the need to include Ukraine in any peace negotiations. An EU spokesperson stated, “We need American strength, not concessions to end this war.”
In response to President Trump’s remarks, European leaders convened emergency meetings to discuss the potential impact on EU-US relations. A European diplomat noted, “We cannot allow President Putin to drive a wedge between the US and Europe.” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, “Let’s not do him the favor of dividing us.”
Trump’s remarks also sparked controversy at home, with US lawmakers from both parties expressing disapproval. Senator Dick Durbin condemned Trump’s comments, stating, “The 46,000 Ukrainians who have died defending their country from Putin’s invasion deserve more than the insulting rant President Trump delivered this morning.”
Zelensky has criticized the US-Russia talks, saying that any efforts to end the war must be “fair” and involve European countries as key stakeholders. The Ukrainian president postponed his trip to Saudi Arabia, where the talks between the US and Russia were taking place.
For Georgia’s ruling party, however, Trump’s remarks seem to justify their more cautious approach to the ongoing conflict. Mdinaradze claims the evolving narrative surrounding the war is seen as evidence that Georgia’s stance on the issue has been vindicated, despite intense domestic political pressure.
The ruling party’s alignment with Trump’s perspective has intensified debates about the country’s foreign policy direction and its relations with Western allies. Critics argue that Georgian Dream’s stance may distance Georgia from its pro-Western populace and European integration aspirations.
By Team GT
