Repeating Russian disinformation

Zelensky accuses Trump of repeating Russian disinformation

From CNN's Ivana Kottasová and Kostya Gak

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Donald Trump of repeating disinformation, a day after the US president falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelensky pushed back on several unfounded claims Trump made on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, President Trump – I have great respect for him as a leader of a nation that we have great respect for, the American people who always support us – unfortunately lives in this disinformation space,” Zelensky said.

Addressing Trump’s claim on Tuesday that his approval rating was “at 4%,” the Ukrainian leader said the number was incorrect and came “from Russia.”

“We understand that, and we have evidence that these numbers are being discussed between America and Russia,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky pointed to a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) earlier this month which showed that while his popularity dropped significantly since the early days of the war, his approval rate has never dropped below 50% and currently stands at 57%.