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Fact check: “Trump: Zelenskyy should not have started the war. fact check

Checked on September 19, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The claim that "Trump: Zelenskyy should not have started the war" has been fact-checked by multiple sources, with the majority contradicting Trump's assertion [1] [2]. These sources state that Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and that Ukraine's actions were in response to Russian aggression [1]. Some sources also report that Trump's comments have been criticized by Zelenskyy and other world leaders, with Zelenskyy stating that Trump lives in a 'disinformation space' [3]. Other sources fact-check Trump's claims about US and European aid to Ukraine, finding that his statements are inaccurate [4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources do not directly address Trump's claim that Zelenskyy should not have started the war, instead fact-checking other claims made by Trump [5] [6] [7]. These sources provide context about the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, and fact-check Trump's claims about the war in Ukraine [5]. Alternative viewpoints are also presented, such as Trump's efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, and Zelenskyy's stance that Russia must end the war, which it started [8]. Additionally, some sources report on the historical context of the conflict, including Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 [1] [2]. It is essential to consider these alternative viewpoints and the historical context of the conflict to fully understand the situation [1] [2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement "Trump: Zelenskyy should not have started the war" may be considered misinformation, as the majority of sources contradict Trump's assertion, stating that Russia, not Ukraine, initiated the conflict [1] [2]. This framing may benefit Trump, as it shifts the blame from Russia to Ukraine, and may also benefit Russia, as it deflects attention from its role in the conflict [3]. However, it is essential to note that the sources themselves may also have biases, and it is crucial to consider multiple viewpoints and fact-check information to form an accurate understanding of the situation [5] [6] [7]. Ultimately, the claim that Zelenskyy should not have started the war is not supported by the majority of fact-checking sources [1] [2].

Want to dive deeper?
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Did Volodymyr Zelenskyy's actions provoke the Russian invasion?
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What role did NATO play in the events leading to the Ukraine-Russia war?