Dmitry Medvedev, the former President and Prime Minister of Russia and current Deputy Chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, commented on the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday.
After their meeting, Zelensky and Trump said at a joint press conference that progress was made on Zelensky’s 20-point peace proposal, which includes security guarantees from the U.S. and Europe for Ukraine and calls for joint military efforts “to create a demilitarized zone overseen by internal forces.”
Medvedev wrote of Zelensky on social media: “The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict. He wants war. Well, now at least he’ll have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life.”
Several Americans including GOP Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), a long-time advocate for Ukraine, chided Medvedev in their replies. Bacon replied to Medvedev: “You are the invader bombing cities every night… and wanting to control Ukrainian territory. If I could direct it, I’d be sending as many weapons to Ukraine to crush your will.”
You are the invader bombing cities every night… and wanting to control Ukrainian territory. If I could direct it, I’d be sending as many weapons to Ukraine to crush your will. https://t.co/zij2NxvrOt
— Rep. Don Bacon
(@RepDonBacon) December 29, 2025
Retired U.S. Army Colonel and former Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs James Hutton replied: “Russian leaders are in no position to lecture anyone — but especially Ukraine — on ‘wanting’ war. Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation. Putin does NOT want peace — he wants Ukraine’s surrender.”
Russian leaders are in no position to lecture anyone — but especially Ukraine — on “wanting” war. Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation. Putin does NOT want peace — he wants Ukraine’s surrender.
— James Hutton (@JEHutton) December 29, 2025
Dave Troy, publisher and editor of America 2.0 and Washington Spectator columnist, replied to Medvedev: “Better to have war than to live with Putin’s boot on the neck of Ukraine. He’s a million times the man you’ll ever be, you stinking slime.”
Notably, the press conference featured a moment when Trump said Russia and Putin wanted Ukraine to “succeed,” which many observers decried as a surreal take on what has transpired.
Trump actually claimed that Russia “wants to see Ukraine succeed.” Watch Zelenskyy’s reaction.
Totally backwards to see a U.S. president siding with an authoritarian aggressor instead of standing unequivocally with a democratic ally fighting for its survival. pic.twitter.com/NRw7s65fHb
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevin) December 30, 2025