Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday exchanged criticisms over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump accused Zelensky of refusing to stand for reelection amid the ongoing conflict in a social media post, pointing out that Zelensky’s five-year term was expected to end in May 2024.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Trump reiterated his criticisms of Zelensky later in the day at an investment conference in Florida. He urged Zelensky to “move fast because that war is going in the wrong direction.” These remarks followed Zelensky’s accusation that Trump had fallen victim to Russian “disinformation,” which has further strained relations between Ukraine and the new U.S. administration.

Zelensky responded by expressing respect for Trump as a leader but criticized him for living in what he described as a “disinformation space.” Meanwhile, senior U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia without Ukrainian involvement on Tuesday. They agreed to work toward ending the three-year Russia-Ukraine conflict and restoring bilateral relations.