Trump Pressures Zelenskyy to Negotiate War’s End, Stirs Controversy
MIAMI— President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, urging him to negotiate a peace deal with Russia swiftly or risk losing Ukraine altogether.
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Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) summit in Miami, Trump escalated tensions by branding Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and accusing him of misusing U.S. aid. The remarks triggered bipartisan backlash in Washington, as well as a sharp response from Ukrainian officials, who condemned Trump’s stance as dangerously aligned with Russian disinformation.
Trump’s Sharp Rhetoric Against Ukraine
Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy included claims that the Ukrainian president had manipulated the U.S. into providing massive financial and military support for a war that “couldn’t be won.” He asserted that Kyiv had squandered $350 billion in American aid, though official figures place the U.S. commitment at approximately $183 billion since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskyy, in response, rejected Trump’s allegations, stating that the former reality TV star-turned-politician was echoing Kremlin propaganda. “We understand that it is coming from Russia,” Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian leader’s defense provoked a rebuke from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who warned Zelenskyy that publicly criticizing Trump was a miscalculation that would not help Ukraine’s cause.
Diplomatic Tensions and Policy Concerns
Trump’s approach to ending the war—negotiating directly with Moscow—has alarmed Kyiv and European allies. On Tuesday, U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential settlement, with neither Ukraine nor its European partners included in the talks.
Trump argued that a deal should have been reached long ago and claimed only his administration was capable of brokering peace. “Zelenskyy better move fast, or he is not going to have a country left,” he warned, doubling down on his assertion that Kyiv should be more willing to make concessions.
Backlash from U.S. Lawmakers
Trump’s remarks ignited criticism across party lines. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called it “disgusting” for a U.S. president to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin over a democratic ally. “Donald Trump is a pushover for Putin,” added Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), condemning Trump’s claims that Ukraine started the war.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) also dismissed Trump’s assertion, stating, “I think Vladimir Putin started the war. I also believe, from bitter experience, that Putin is a gangster with a black heart.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), while refraining from direct criticism, emphasized the importance of achieving peace through diplomatic channels.
Ukraine’s Concerns Over U.S. Support
Kyiv has expressed increasing unease over the Trump administration’s approach. Mykhailo Podolyak, a top aide to Zelenskyy, questioned Trump’s willingness to reward Russia despite its violations of international law. “We still do not understand this strategy,” Podolyak said.
Adding to tensions, a proposed U.S.-Ukraine agreement granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals collapsed last week. Ukrainian officials declined to sign, arguing the deal disproportionately benefited Washington without offering security guarantees in return. Trump lashed out, accusing Kyiv of breaking the agreement and treating U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent “rudely” during his visit.
The Road Ahead
With the war grinding on and U.S. foreign policy in flux, the rift between Washington and Kyiv appears to be deepening. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, hinted at an urgency within the administration to push for an endgame. “We want to see an end to it,” he stated.
As Trump moves ahead with his negotiations—potentially without Ukraine at the table—questions linger over the long-term implications for Kyiv’s sovereignty and America’s global alliances. The future of U.S. support for Ukraine remains uncertain, leaving Zelenskyy’s government to navigate a precarious path amid shifting geopolitical winds.
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Trump Pressures Zelenskyy to Negotiate War’s End, Stirs Controversy