Trump Dismisses Russia’s Questioning of Zelenskyy’s Legitimacy as ‘Posturing’

Russian leaders have repeatedly challenged Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, as Ukraine’s wartime laws prevent regular elections.
Trump Dismisses Russia’s Questioning of Zelenskyy’s Legitimacy as ‘Posturing’
President Donald Trump participates in a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Aug. 26, 2025. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
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“Everybody is posturing,” President Donald Trump said on Aug. 26, when asked about recent comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that appeared to question Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s legitimacy to enact a peace deal on behalf of Ukraine.

Following Trump’s successive meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15 and with Zelenskyy on Aug. 18, it remains unclear if or when the Russian and Ukrainian leaders will meet together to hammer out a deal to end the conflict between their countries.