Why does President Trump refer to Ukrainian President Zelensky as a 'dictator'?

President Trump called Zelensky a 'dictator without elections' because Ukraine has been under martial law and has not held elections since Russia invaded in 2022. This martial law status, implemented as an emergency measure during the ongoing conflict, has postponed regular democratic processes in Ukraine. Trump's comments appeared to align with Russian President Vladimir Putin's narrative, suggesting Ukraine was partially to blame for the Russian invasion. Trump further claimed that if Zelensky 'didn't move fast,' he 'wouldn't have a country left,' implying criticism of Ukraine's handling of the conflict. These statements reflect a controversial perspective on Ukraine's wartime governance.