British Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not a dictator.
Badenoch stated that Zelensky is a democratically elected leader who bravely stood up to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.
She made this statement via her X handle on Wednesday in response to accusations from US President Donald Trump.
Media Talk Africa reports that Trump had called Zelensky a dictator, accusing him of refusing to organise elections.
Badenoch reaffirmed that under successive prime ministers, the Conservatives had always stood—and would continue to stand—with Ukraine.
The Conservative leader said President Trump was wrong to claim that Zelensky is a dictator.
“Zelensky is not a dictator. He is the democratically elected leader of Ukraine who bravely stood up to Putin’s illegal invasion. Under my leadership, and under successive Conservative prime ministers, we have and always will stand with Ukraine.
“President Trump is right that Europe needs to pull its weight—and that includes the UK. We need to get serious. The PM will have my support to increase defence spending—there is a fully funded plan to get to 2.5% sitting on his desk. That should be the bare minimum. Starmer should get on with it, get on a plane to Washington, and show some leadership. We cannot afford to get this wrong,” she said.
