Human rights activist: "Trump is supporting a murderous dictator, not a people fighting for freedom"

^{Collage: Substack}
Belgian human rights activist Peter Bourqueret, who is in Ukraine, expressed his reaction to the dispute between President Volodymyr Zelensky and his American counterpart Donald Trump. He touched upon some of the lies in the negotiations. He also invited Trump and Vice President Vance to Ukraine, but said that they would not dare to do so.

Why is Zelensky wearing a military uniform?

During a meeting of politicians in the Oval Office on February 28, one of the journalists asked the Ukrainian president why he was not wearing a suit. This scene, which at first glance seemed to have been prepared in advance, attracted the attention of many.

"I'll wear the suit after the war is over. Maybe I'll buy a suit like yours. Maybe even a better one! Or something cheaper," Zelensky replied.

Interestingly, Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who works in the White House, does not adhere to the formal dress code.


"Zelensky has been wearing military uniform at all international meetings since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. This is a symbolic gesture to show sympathy for the soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for Ukraine and to show that the country is at war.

But surprisingly, no one objected to Elon Musk, who has repeatedly walked around the White House in a T-shirt and cap, not even taking off his hat. In fact, it is considered polite to take off his hat in front of the leadership. So don't teach Zelensky how to dress," said the Belgian human rights activist.

Ukrainian President Not a Dictator

Peter said that he had spoken to Ukrainian soldiers sent to war in recent weeks and made the following statement.

"Zelensky is not a dictator, nor is he a leader who cannot mobilize his people. In recent weeks, I have spent a lot of time with the soldiers who are heading to the front, I have talked to them. None of them have tried to refuse service, but on the contrary, they are entering the battle with determination and courage. I bow to them and express my deep respect," the human rights activist said.

Earlier, President Trump called his Ukrainian counterpart an "unelected dictator." Later, he said that he "cannot believe" that he said that.

The US should thank Ukraine

During the negotiations, Trump repeatedly demanded that Zelensky express gratitude. The human rights activist focused on the fact that Trump and the US should actually thank Zelensky. He gave two reasons for this.

"First, Ukraine gave up the third largest nuclear arsenal in the world after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This was guaranteed by the US, Great Britain, France and Russia under the Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine gave up trillions of dollars worth of nuclear weapons and received guarantees of territorial integrity, but Russia broke this promise. The US and other Western countries, however, undertook to defend Ukraine," said Peter Bourkaret.

He stressed that if Ukraine had kept its nuclear weapons, Russia would never have attacked it. The West promised to protect it in exchange for Ukraine's denuclearization. Therefore, Ukraine does not have to thank the US for fulfilling its promises.

"Secondly, Ukraine is defending not only its territory, but the future of the whole of Europe. In recent weeks, I have spoken with people from the territories occupied by Russia. They are living under real Stalinist repression. Putin wants to spread this same system throughout Europe. Ukraine is the front line to stop it," Peter stressed.

^{Photo: Peter Boucaret}
He said that he was in Chechnya 25 years ago and "documented the atrocities" committed by Russia. At that time, he was staying in the same hotel as murdered Anna Politkovskaya, Natalia Estemirova, and Oleg Orlov, an activist of the Memorial organization who was imprisoned in February 2024 on charges of “discrediting the Russian army” and later released as a result of a prisoner exchange.

He emphasizes that the difference between 1999 and 2000 was that at that time, even though the FSB (now the KGB) was constantly watching, it was still possible to work in Russia.

“FSB officers stayed with us at the ACCA Hotel in Ingushetia. One night, I felt someone in my room all night - a few cigarette butts on the floor indicated that they were watching me. Despite this, we could go to Moscow, work in the Moscow office of Human Rights Watch (HRW), and work despite the risks,” Peter recalls.

He said that since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 (and long before that), any remaining civil society opportunities in Russia have been completely destroyed. He said that there are no independent journalists or human rights organizations left in Russia. The HRW office has also been closed.

"Anna, Natalia, Nemtsov and many other brave people were mercilessly destroyed by Putin. But instead of supporting the Ukrainian people fighting for freedom, Trump refrains from criticizing the murderous dictator Putin and instead tries to humiliate Zelensky, who is fighting for freedom. But Zelensky is not humiliated, he stands proud and strong, because he cannot be humiliated by people he does not respect.

Shame on you, twice impeached and convicted orange! You and your Republican sycophants do not deserve our respect - I will not even capitalize the word "Republican" because they do not deserve this attention. Shame on you, traitors of American values!", noted Peter Bourcaret. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”