Donald Trump’s relationship with Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken a sharp turn, with the US president publicly condemning the Ukrainian leader in a series of escalating attacks.
What began as a private frustration over Zelenskyy’s remarks soon spiralled into a direct political assault, culminating in Trump calling him “a dictator without elections.”
Trump’s frustration boiled over during a trip to Florida, where he told aides he wanted to respond directly to Zelenskyy’s criticisms. According to CNN, Trump’s outburst led to his scathing post on Truth Social and further remarks during a Saudi-backed investment conference in Miami. His comments accused Zelenskyy of misusing US aid and failing to pursue a peace deal with Russia, a claim that was swiftly rejected by Ukrainian officials.
It’s a frustration. There is a strong and legitimate feeling that this brutal war has to stop and that this pathway is being diminished through Zelensky’s public statements
a White House official told CNN.
Behind the scenes, Ukrainian officials had been growing uneasy about Trump’s position. NBC News reported that after Trump’s election victory, Kyiv’s supporters in Washington urged Zelenskyy to present himself as willing to compromise in peace talks. However, Trump’s administration sent mixed signals, leaving Ukraine uncertain about its standing. The situation worsened when US defence secretary Pete Hegseth told Ukrainian officials in a private meeting that America might reduce its military presence in Europe. The growing rift between Washington and Kyiv became more apparent when a proposed rare earth minerals agreement between the two nations was left in limbo.
Trump’s latest remarks caused a stir on Capitol Hill, with Republicans divided over whether to support their party’s leader or defend Ukraine. Axios reported that Senate Majority Leader John Thune avoided endorsing Trump’s claims, saying, “The president speaks for himself.” Other GOP senators, such as Lisa Murkowski and Thom Tillis, distanced themselves from Trump’s statement, with Tillis sayin, “It’s not a word I would use.” Meanwhile, some Republicans, including Senator Josh Hawley, suggested that Zelenskyy should have held elections despite the ongoing war.
What seemingly led to the worsening ties between Kyiv and Washington was Zelenskyy’s claim that Trump was operating in a “disinformation space” influenced by Russian propaganda, as per reports.
Trump’s hostility toward Zelenskyy is not entirely new. His scepticism of US aid to Ukraine and his preference for negotiating directly with Russia have been longstanding themes of his foreign policy. As NBC News detailed, Ukrainian officials were alarmed when they were told that Zelenskyy’s meetings with top Trump officials could be cancelled if he did not agree to certain demands. Trump, who has positioned himself as the only leader capable of ending the war, has increasingly framed Zelenskyy as an obstacle to peace.
Trump has claimed that Ukraine had started the war and that it “could have made a deal” to avoid the conflict. This rhetoric has drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s stance, saying, “It’s disgusting to see an American president turn against one of our friends and openly side with a thug like Vladimir Putin.” Senator John Kennedy, a Republican, also rejected Trump’s claim, stating, “Vladimir Putin started the war. He’s a gangster with a black heart.”
The fallout from Trump’s remarks has left Ukraine and its allies on edge. While negotiations between US and Russian officials continue, Kyiv remains excluded from the talks, further deepening concerns about Trump’s willingness to prioritise Ukraine’s interests. Ukrainian officials, including adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, have questioned why the US would cede influence to a country that has violated international law and waged an unprovoked war against Ukraine.
Trump has made it clear that he expects Zelenskyy to yield to his terms. “Zelenskyy better move fast, or he is not going to have a country left,” he warned.