Volodymyr Zelensky’s concerns about the present course of US policy toward his war-torn nation are unlikely to have been allayed by the embrace that Trump envoy Steve Witkoff gave him before to negotiations in Oslo.
Zelensky shared a video of the event on social media, writing, “Ukraine is working for peace.” I appreciate our partners’ help.”
But does the Ukrainian leader still see Donald Trump as a partner in light of all that has transpired this month?
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What Happened | Rising tensions between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky over US support for Ukraine. |
| Key Leaders | Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky |
| Main Issues | Military aid, Patriot missiles, Starlink access, intelligence sharing, and sanctions on Russia. |
| Location | United States, Ukraine, and ongoing diplomatic talks involving Russia and European leaders. |
| Background | Repeated disagreements over military assistance and the terms of a peace agreement. |
| Current Status | Diplomatic discussions continue, but key disagreements remain unresolved. |
| Why It Matters | US policy decisions affect Ukraine's defence capabilities and the prospects for peace. |
But does the Ukrainian leader still see Donald Trump as a partner in light of all that has transpired this month?
It’s clear that the two men have never been friends, but have they finally had a falling out?
The last ten days have shown signs of a rift as profound as any in their tense relationship, both in words and deeds.”Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Trump said to a reporter on Monday in response to the Ukrainian leader’s claim that the US would be on the wrong side of history if it struck a diesel deal with Russia.
US Ukraine Relations Face Renewed Strain
He posted on Telegram on Monday, saying, “We have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to end this war with dignity.”
But apart from hyperbole, how terrible is the relationship?
We’ve been here before, in a sense.
The US halted military aid and limited information cooperation following their infamous televised altercation in the Oval Office in February 2025, during which Trump accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War III”.
Ukraine Faces Critical Patriot Missile Shortages
It was a week-long crisis. Additionally, a system was put in place for European nations to pay for American weaponry when the Trump administration decided later that year that it no longer intended to fund direct military support to Ukraine.
One exception has been the desperately required US-made Patriot air defense weapons following this year’s US conflict with Iran.
The supply to Ukraine has slowed to a trickle due to a worldwide scarcity, making it more difficult than ever for Kyiv to take down Russian ballistic missiles.
“Only a couple” of Patriots, according to an unidentified Ukrainian official.
Trump’s Russia Deal Angers Kyiv
Although similar worries have previously been expressed, the most recent reports—which have not been verified by US officials—come against Kyiv’s increasingly challenging background.
When Ukrainian negotiators arrived in Miami earlier this month to meet with Trump’s all-purpose envoys Jared Kushner and Witkoff, they were taken aback to learn that the president had recently reached an agreement with Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel to enter US markets.
In light of the impending congressional midterm elections, experts questioned whether it would have much of an impact on lowering US gas prices.
Trump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver Alarms Kyiv
Trump went one step further last Friday, lifting extensive sanctions against Russia just two days before they were scheduled to go into force.
Trump claimed that his attempts to mediate a peace deal would be hampered by the penalties included in the Graham Act, which was named for late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, a strong advocate of Ukraine who passed away in July.
However, there was just another concerning indication that the White House was supporting the Kremlin for Kyiv and its allies.
William Taylor, a former US ambassador to Kyiv, said that the Trump administration is giving the Russians incentives and the Ukrainians punishment.
Ukraine Reports Reduced US Intelligence Support
Top Putin envoy Kiriil Dmitriev called it “an important and truly historic moment.”
Russian officials have hailed the “spirit of Alaska” as a welcome return home for Moscow after the Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage in August 2025.
The allegation that the US has restricted intelligence flow and blocked Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service—again unverified by Washington—adds to the impression that Trump is deserting the nation.
Russia is increasingly attacking Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles.
Growing Distrust Between Trump and Zelensky
The provenance of any directive restricting Ukraine’s use of Starlink, or its military-grade equivalent Starshield, is unclear. It originated from the White House, according to Reuters.
Rubio stated that “no-one at the White House ordered anyone to slow down internet.”
However, the frequency with which these accusations arise indicates the ongoing lack of confidence in US-Ukrainian ties.
Donald Trump’s apparent long-standing suspicion of Ukraine in general and Zelensky in particular is largely to blame for this.
