Trump slams 'fake news and radical left Dems', teases 'big progress on Russia' ahead of Zelensky meeting

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump lashed out at the “fake news” media on August 17 morning, accusing journalists of distorting his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as he prepared for a high-profile White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump posted three blistering messages on Truth Social, touting “big progress on Russia” and promising more details to come, while dismissing criticism of his recent talks with Putin aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. 

Trump attacks media over Alaska summit coverage

“It’s incredible how the fake news violently distorts the truth when it comes to me. There is nothing I can say or do that would lead them to write or report honestly about me,” Donald Trump wrote. “I had a great meeting in Alaska on Biden’s stupid war, a war that should have never happened!!!”

Minutes later, he added, “If I got Russia to give up Moscow as part of the deal, the fake news, and their partner, the radical left Democrats, would say I made a terrible mistake and a very bad deal. That’s why they are the fake news! Also, they should talk about the six wars, etc., I just stopped!!! MAGA”

In a third post, Trump said simply, “Big progress on Russia. Stay tuned! president DJT.”

The posts came two days after Trump and Putin met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage to discuss a possible peace framework for Ukraine. The meeting ended without a ceasefire breakthrough but signaled continuing dialogue between Washington and Moscow.

Volodymyr Zelensky arrives in Washington ahead of Oval Office meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington on Sunday, August 17, expressing hope to end the war with Russia “quickly and reliably.”

He is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump at the White House, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also join the discussions.

Posting on X, Zelensky wrote: “I have already arrived in Washington, tomorrow I am meeting with President Trump. Tomorrow we are also speaking with European leaders. I am grateful to @POTUS for the invitation. We all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably. And peace must be lasting. Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack. Or when Ukraine was given so-called ‘security guarantees’ in 1994, but they didn’t work.”

In his statement, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine would not accept concessions similar to past failed peace arrangements.

“Of course, Crimea should not have been given up then, just as Ukrainians did not give up Kyiv, Odesa, or Kharkiv after 2022. Ukrainians are fighting for their land, for their independence. Now, our soldiers have successes in Donetsk and Sumy regions. I am confident that we will defend Ukraine, effectively guarantee security, and that our people will always be grateful to President Trump, everyone in America, and every partner and ally for their support and invaluable assistance. Russia must end this war, which it itself started. And I hope that our joint strength with America, with our European friends, will force Russia into a real peace. Thank you!”