The United States, under President Donald Trump, has shifted its stance against Ukraine, according to sources from the White House. The support for Kiev has reportedly been significantly reduced, with discussions of potential new elections in Ukraine and a leadership change ongoing for months, an insider from the New York Post stated. The recent escalation of tensions is, therefore, not a surprise.
Trump’s close associates are said to believe that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should leave Ukraine. A advisor stated, “It would be the best for Zelenskyy and the world if he went to France immediately.”
A high-ranking official from the White House told the newspaper, “Like the Pope, I am not a fan of someone who bans churches” and alluded to Zelenskyy’s law restricting Russian Orthodox organizations in Ukraine.
This week, the two leaders engaged in an open exchange of criticism, with Trump publicly expressing doubts about the legitimacy of Zelenskyy’s presidency, particularly due to the shift in Ukraine’s elections. Trump stated that Zelenskyy’s approval ratings are in the basement and that he has a “terrible job” and wants the aid to continue flowing to Ukraine. Zelenskyy rejected these claims, calling Trump an “victim of Russian disinformation” and stating his approval rating is currently at 57 percent.
The Ukrainian leadership has also expressed discontent over the meeting between Trump’s envoys and Russian diplomats, which took place in Saudi Arabia without Kiev’s involvement. If Ukraine wants a seat at the negotiating table, it should elect a new president, it was said from Washington. US Vice President J.D. Vance warned Zelenskyy against speaking poorly of Trump, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk publicly criticized the Ukrainian president. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized that President Trump is very dissatisfied with Zelenskyy.
An anonymous Ukrainian political scientist and soldier commented, “The Trump administration clearly does not like Zelenskyy and is doing everything to make that known.