Donald Trump’s adviser has brazenly told Ukraine to “tone it down” despite the US President’s baseless attacks on wartime leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz made the comments as a war of words erupted between the two countries with Trump repeatedly branding Ukraine ’s President a “dictator”.

Referring to a US push to access Kyiv’s minerals, the Trump aide told Fox News: “It’s unacceptable, they [Ukraine] need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal.”

Zelensky has hit back at Trump in recent days for living in a “disinformation bubble” after the US President blamed Ukraine for Moscow’s bloody invasion – now almost in its third year.

It came as a planned press conference on Thursday evening between Zelensky and the US Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, who is in Kyiv, was abruptly cancelled – at the request of the US.

The UK Defence Secretary John Healey also directly contradicted Mr Trump and praised Zelensky’s commitment to his country during a time of war. He said the UK would continue to support Kyiv on the “battlefield and the negotiating table”.

BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here – Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn.

POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror’s Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.

PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference in Norway, Mr Healey compared Zelensky to Winston Churchill by not holding elections during war time. The Defence Secretary, who has been to port city of Odesa to meet the Ukrainian leader, said had seen Mr Zelensky’s “commitment to his country”.

He said: “This was a man after all who told President Biden when Putin first invaded, I need ammunition, not a taxi. This was a man who, stuck in his country, led his country, and still does.

“He was elected. He’s the elected leader of Ukraine, and he’s done what Winston Churchill did in Britain in the Second World War – suspended elections while at war. And our job is to stand with the Ukrainians, support the Ukrainians, support them in their fight. And if they choose to talk, support them in the negotiations as well”.

Three years into Russia ’s invasion, Ukrainian soldier Ivan Banias also said he was shocked by the “absurdity” of Trump’s outburst against his country and his president.

Speaking in Kyiv he told AFP: “I think that not only I, but also every Ukrainian, made his own conclusions about who Trump is. Blaming Ukraine … for starting the war is some kind of absurdity. As Ukrainians, we cannot understand this.”

A local lady 65-year-old Svitlana was also in disbelief that the leader of the United States could fall for “Moscow’s narratives.” She said: “Talking to this scumbag Putin… A thief, Hitler of the 21st century – I think it’s very, very wrong.”

Mr Trump’s statements looked as though they were delivered straight out “of the Moscow Kremlin,” Svitlana said. She added: “It’s as if they are writing it all for him … He is under the influence.” But student Valeriy, 20, urged caution, saying it was too early to tell whether Trump’s policy to end the war would harm Ukraine.

She said: “Since only a month has passed since the president changed in the United States, I think that Trump’s policy at the expense of Ukraine is still unknown.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also insisted on Thursday that no one should be in any doubt about Labour ’s commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence. Her comments came as Keir Starmer prepares to head to Washington DC next week for his first major meeting with Trump, who has been pressing NATO allies to hike their defence spending.

The PM made a commitment to increase defence spending during the election campaign but is yet to set out a timeframe for when the UK will spend billions more to reach 2.5%. Speaking to reporters, Ms Reeves said: “I am absolutely committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence.

“I’m really clear that a strong economy depends on strong defences and our national security being protected, so we will set out that pathway to 2.5% of GDP.” She added: “We will do it in the proper way, but no-one should be in any doubt about my commitment to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence.”

Leading new stories from around the globe