Why Trump is attacking Zelenskyy and how US and Europe are responding
The crisis in US-Ukraine relations has entered a new phase. After last week's behind-the-scenes pressure on Ukraine over a mineral resource agreement and a nearly derailed high-level meeting in Munich, Donald Trump has now personally attacked Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
His statements echoed familiar rhetoric, so much so that some, including former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, saw them as a repetition of Russian propaganda.
Read more about the new reality in which Ukraine must learn to navigate and defend its interests in the article by Oleh Pavliuk and Sergiy Sydorenko of European Pravda – Trump accuses Ukraine: What are the consequences of the US President's new ultimatum?
Trump’s recent statements on Ukraine align with his image as a tough politician who disregards diplomatic conventions.
At a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Tuesday evening, Trump was asked why Ukraine was absent from peace talks in Saudi Arabia. Instead of explaining why the US opted for negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, he shifted to accusations, nearly blaming Kyiv for the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Trump also endorsed holding elections in Ukraine despite martial law, falsely claiming that Zelenskyy's approval rating had dropped to 4%.
Ukraine's President didn't stay quiet. On Wednesday morning, Zelenskyy held a press conference to respond to Trump. However, rather than de-escalating tensions, his remarks appeared to fuel the crisis further.
Trump doubled down, calling Zelenskнy a "dictator," statement that would typically have serious diplomatic consequences.
Late Wednesday night, Trump escalated his attacks again, claiming that Zelenskyн was "sleeping" when US Treasury Secretary Kellogg arrived in Kyiv and that he treated the American official with disrespect.
Trump's closest allies quickly backed his accusations against Ukraine.
Among them was National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who suggested that the real issue behind the tension was Ukraine’s resistance to a resource, sharing agreement that US officials have been pressuring Zelenskyy to sign. The White House appears to view this deal as a high priority.
It seems that the agreement, which European Pravda previously reported on in detail, holds particular significance for the White House.
The rhetoric Trump has chosen to pressure Ukraine has not received unanimous support, even within his own party.
The US hopes to "revive" the deal with Ukraine in a somewhat modified form.
This is a defining feature of the new US administration's policy.
Even when statements from Washington might suggest there is no room for partnership within the conventional diplomatic framework, under Trump, this may mean nothing at all.
Against this backdrop, Europe's actions stand out, as it continues to adhere to traditional intergovernmental relations.
In recent days, the UK and France have sought to take on European leadership in assisting Kyiv.
Europe is also preparing a "Plan B" to guarantee continued military support for Kyiv in case of further unpredictability from the US.