US-Ukraine relationship worsens amid Trump and Zelensky’s mutual distrust
Washington and Kyiv face a sharper test of trust as peace efforts continue
Healfromzero.com – Relations between the United States and Ukraine have entered a more troubled phase, with disagreements over battlefield strategy, sanctions policy, intelligence cooperation and the terms of any eventual peace settlement widening the gap between Washington and Kyiv.
At the center of the strain is an increasingly public clash between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Their relationship appears more fragile than at any point since their contentious White House meeting 18 months ago, even as both governments remain involved in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Ukraine has continued long-range attacks inside Russia despite Trump’s demand that Kyiv stop striking Russian refining facilities. Over the weekend, Ukrainian drones carried out one of the country’s largest attacks in Russia this year, including a strike on the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, an important facility with capacity to handle as much as 12.5 million tons annually.
Fire Point, the Ukrainian company that produces drones used in the operation, said a fire broke out on the terminal grounds after the attack. The strike came as the White House seeks to limit pressure on US oil and diesel costs ahead of pivotal midterm elections. Diesel prices have reached record levels.
Disagreement over attacks and sanctions
Trump has criticized Ukraine’s campaign against Russian oil infrastructure, calling recent refinery strikes a “disgrace” last week. He also said Zelensky was harder to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky responded in an interview Sunday with a pointed defense of openness among allies.
“It’s better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers, even with a smile on their face.”
The remark was widely understood as criticism of Trump’s approach toward Russia. Trump then intensified his own criticism in a Truth Social post, arguing that Zelensky did not want to bring the war to a close.
“He doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”
Zelensky has repeatedly maintained that Ukraine is ready for negotiations, provided that its future security is protected. He said Sunday that he had spoken with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, as part of continuing contacts intended to advance peace efforts.
“We are doing everything on our part to make this happen, and to ensure that America’s position is strong and helps bring peace closer.”
In a further message Monday, Zelensky said Ukraine had embraced every serious attempt by partners to secure an honorable conclusion to the conflict.
“Ukraine never wanted this war, and we have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to bring this war to a dignified end.”
Kyiv fears further concessions to Moscow
A major source of concern in Kyiv is Trump’s willingness to ease sanctions pressure on Russia while negotiations remain unresolved. The administration has backed a waiver permitting Russian diesel exports and another exception from broad economic penalties approved by Congress.
Trump defended that approach by saying tougher action could push Moscow away from talks.
“I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table.”
Zelensky argued during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the sanctions waivers help Putin sustain the war despite Russian difficulties on the battlefield. He warned that US alignment with Moscow would amount to a “historic mistake.” Asked whether Trump remained an ally of Ukraine, Zelensky answered cautiously:
“I hope so.”
The dispute reflects a larger dilemma for Ukraine and its European partners. Kyiv wants any settlement to include meaningful protection against renewed Russian aggression, while the Trump administration is focused on creating conditions that might bring Putin into a deal. Those objectives can overlap, but they do not automatically lead to the same choices on sanctions, military pressure or diplomacy.
Questions over talks without Ukraine
Kyiv is also uneasy over discussion of a possible meeting involving the United States, China and Russia next month to address the conflict without Ukrainian participation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Uzbekistan on Monday, said there had been discussion of such a meeting but no confirmation that arrangements had been completed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said excluding Ukraine would undermine rather than support a peace process. He argued that a meeting of that kind could encourage Putin to prolong the conflict and elevate his standing.
“Inviting Putin to such a meeting would feed his appetite for self-aggrandizement and give him a stature he does not deserve.”
The Kremlin said no firm proposal, agreement, agenda or meeting format had been presented. Still, the prospect highlights Ukraine’s concern that decisions affecting its territory and security could be discussed without its direct participation.
Humanitarian pressure remains
Diplomatic friction is unfolding alongside continuing hardship for civilians in occupied areas. Zelensky spoke with Pope Leo XIV on Monday, days after the pontiff spoke with Putin and raised concern over the serious humanitarian conditions in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky.
Ukrainian authorities say roughly 2,000 civilians remain there without access to food or basic medicine. The situation underscores why negotiations over the war extend beyond territorial and military questions: the outcome will also shape the security and welfare of civilians living under occupation or near the front.
For Kyiv, sustained military pressure on Russian energy assets is part of its wider effort to constrain Moscow’s ability to finance and supply the war. For the White House, those attacks carry potential consequences for fuel markets and for the political environment in the United States. The competing priorities have turned a long-standing alliance into a relationship marked by growing suspicion, even while both sides say they seek peace.
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