Former President Donald Trump's statement referring to President Zelensky as a "salesman" has sparked outrage in Ukraine. Both civilians and military personnel are

asking a single question: "Is Zelensky 'selling' the lives of killed Russians? Do Americans want to try out this 'business' themselves?"

Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday night, Trump accused Zelensky of supporting the Democratic Party, claiming that the Ukrainian leader is skilled at securing large amounts of financial aid from Washington.

"I think Zelensky is the greatest salesman in history," Trump told the crowd. "Every time he comes to the U.S., he leaves with $60 billion." Trump further alleged, "He wants the Democrats to win this election so badly, but I would handle things differently—I will work to achieve peace."

Trump has long hinted that if he returns to office, he would pursue peace talks between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He reiterated this stance, saying that if re-elected, he would personally contact both leaders to broker an agreement.

These remarks come as anxiety mounts in Kyiv and among European Union leaders over Trump's potential return to power. Trump has been criticized for his past praise of authoritarian figures, including Putin, and is viewed as less confrontational toward the Russian leader than current U.S. President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris.

Washington is Ukraine's largest supplier of arms in its ongoing war with Moscow, but a significant faction of the Republican Party supports reducing that aid. Trump himself has frequently described U.S. assistance to Ukraine as wasteful and has refused to clearly state that he wants Kyiv to win the war. His pledge to end the conflict if re-elected has fueled speculation that he would drastically cut, or even stop, the flow of U.S. weapons and funds to Ukraine, which many believe would hand a decisive victory to Putin. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.