Trump and Zelensky's Tense Relationship Simmers Amidst Shifting US Policy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former US President Donald Trump appear to be at odds once again, a tension that lingers despite a recent meeting in Oslo between Zelensky and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The optics of a hug between Witkoff and Zelensky masked a deeper disquiet within the Ukrainian leadership regarding the trajectory of US policy toward their nation.

Zelensky shared a video of his interaction with Witkoff on social media, accompanying it with a message of gratitude for partners supporting peace efforts in Ukraine. However, recent rhetoric and actions from Trump suggest a significant rupture in their relationship, potentially impacting the crucial support Ukraine receives.

Trump has recently voiced strong criticism of Zelensky, calling him "not a good guy for us to deal with" and stating that the Ukrainian leader "doesn't know what he's talking about." These personal attacks, characteristic of Trump's diplomatic style, contrast sharply with Zelensky's generally circumspect approach to describing his American counterpart. Yet, this month, Zelensky has expressed clear frustration, referencing "decisions on the American side that are hard to explain between friends" and voicing fears that "some political decision has been made to slow down support for us."

This is not the first time the US-Ukraine relationship has faced turbulence. Following a significant dispute in February 2025, US military assistance and intelligence sharing were temporarily suspended. A similar crisis was averted when European nations agreed to finance American equipment. However, current concerns, particularly regarding the supply of US-made Patriot air defense missiles amid a global shortage, have intensified. Reports indicate that the supply to Ukraine has slowed, complicating Kyiv's efforts to counter Russian missile attacks.

Adding to these concerns, Ukrainian negotiators were reportedly blindsided in Miami when Trump announced a deal to open US markets to Russian diesel. This move, seen by some as a signal of US displeasure with Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries, was interpreted as a rebuke to Kyiv. Further actions, such as Trump waiving sanctions on Russia just before they were to take effect, have fueled perceptions that the White House is aligning with the Kremlin.

"What the Trump administration is doing is providing carrots to the Russians and sticks applied to the Ukrainians," former US ambassador to Kyiv William Taylor told the BBC. "It's inexplicable and saddening."

Allegations also surfaced regarding restrictions on intelligence flow and interference with Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service. These claims, while not confirmed by US officials, have emerged against a backdrop of escalating Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. Zelensky noted a lack of advance warning for ballistic missile attacks, while the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, attributed temporary lapses in warnings to a "software problem."

Uncertainty also surrounds Ukraine's use of Starlink, with reports of throttling that impede the military's ability to intercept fast-moving drones. While Rubio denied White House orders to slow internet access, the recurrence of such suspicions highlights a persistent lack of trust in US-Ukrainian relations.

These contemporary issues seem rooted in Trump's long-standing mistrust of Ukraine, stemming from claims of Ukrainian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and Zelensky's refusal to investigate charges related to Joe Biden. These past events led to Trump's first impeachment. Whether these historical grievances continue to shape current US policy remains a subject of speculation, but the recent dip in US-Ukraine relations is undeniable.

Following the Oslo talks, Witkoff is set to present updated proposals in St. Petersburg. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the Oslo discussions as helpful in "straighten[ing] out a few things." Zelensky expressed optimism about resolving issues related to early warnings, Patriot missiles, and Starlink, stating, "I think we will have good results too."

Despite this cautiously optimistic tone, the underlying divergence between Zelensky and Trump on crucial policy matters suggests that challenges in their relationship persist.