President Trump stated Wednesday that his relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has evolved positively since a contentious meeting in the Oval Office last year. The two leaders met during a NATO summit, where Trump indicated a willingness to visit Ukraine and discussed potentially granting Kyiv a license to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles.
"We've actually developed a good relationship! Hard to believe, right? From the Oval Office to now," Trump remarked during a meeting with Zelensky, highlighting the shift from their previous encounter. He also acknowledged Zelensky's leadership, calling him "courageous" and noting his troops and equipment.
The improved dynamic appears to stem from recent developments in the war, with Ukraine experiencing battlefield successes. "Everyone knows the president loves winners. And right now, Ukraine is winning," a source familiar with the relationship told The Post. This assessment was echoed by former envoy to Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who suggested that Trump now recognizes Ukraine's momentum against Russia.
"Zelensky's putting the pressure on the Russians, and I think the President now realizes this guy, Putin — who may be a nice guy with you — but basically, he’s not winning the war," Kellogg said. Data indicates Russian troop losses are substantial, reportedly around 35,000 per month, a rate difficult for Moscow to sustain.
Trump's earlier criticism of Zelensky, notably when he reportedly called Kellogg an "idiot" for praising the Ukrainian leader, stands in contrast to his current remarks. Other international figures, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, have observed this shift, attributing it to Ukraine's growing military achievements.
In a significant development, Trump pledged to discuss extending Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptor missiles, a move that would allow Kyiv to manufacture a key component of its air defense. This would place Ukraine among a small group of nations, including Germany and Poland, with similar capabilities and marks a departure from solely supplying the defense systems. Former President Joe Biden had previously declined to grant such a license.