US-Ukraine relationship worsens amid Trump and Zelensky’s mutual distrust

Ukraine and US Face a Sharper Rift Over Russia War Strategy

Earthguardiansonline.com – Ukraine’s partnership with the United States is under fresh pressure as disagreements widen over sanctions, intelligence cooperation, strikes inside Russia and the terms of any eventual peace settlement. The friction is increasingly personal, with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky openly questioning each other’s approach to the war.

Kyiv carried out one of its largest drone operations of the year over the weekend, targeting sites in Russia including the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal. The attack came despite Trump’s call for Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian refining infrastructure.

The terminal has capacity to process 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’s territory after the strike. Long-range attacks have become an important part of Ukraine’s effort to disrupt Russian military-linked logistics and energy revenues, but they have also become a major point of contention with Washington.

Oil Prices and Political Pressure

The White House has focused on limiting pressure on US oil and diesel prices before key midterm elections. Diesel prices have reached a record high, heightening concern that attacks on Russian refining assets could further affect global fuel markets.

Trump last week called Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries a “disgrace,” while arguing that Zelensky was harder to negotiate with than Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Sunday, Trump escalated the criticism in a Truth Social post, writing that Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”

Zelensky responded during an interview Sunday by stressing the importance of transparent alliances and appearing to draw a contrast with Trump’s dealings with Moscow.

“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 exchange has reinforced concern in Kyiv that personal mistrust between the two leaders could influence US policy at a critical moment. Their relationship now appears to be at its weakest point since their volatile White House meeting 18 months ago.

Dispute Over Peace and Sanctions

Trump has defended recent measures that ease pressure on Russia, including a waiver permitting Russian diesel exports and another exemption from broad economic penalties mandated by Congress. He has said such steps are intended to keep Russia engaged in negotiations.

“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 has argued that the waivers instead strengthen Putin’s ability to continue the war, particularly while Russian forces are struggling on the battlefield. He warned that a US decision to align itself with Moscow would amount to a “historic mistake.”

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly said that he is willing to enter peace talks if credible security guarantees are provided. He said Sunday that he had spoken with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner as part of continuing contacts aimed at advancing peace.

“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 another statement Monday, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine had not sought the conflict and had supported every serious effort by partners to achieve what he described as a dignified conclusion to the war.

Concern Over Talks Without Ukraine

An additional source of anxiety for Kyiv is the possibility of a three-way meeting involving the United States, Russia and China next month that could address the conflict without Ukrainian participation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Uzbekistan on Monday, said discussion of a meeting had taken place but that nothing had been finalized.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said excluding Ukraine would damage rather than advance the prospects for peace. He warned that inviting Putin into such a format would encourage the Russian leader 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 Monday that no specific proposals, agreements, agenda or format for such a gathering had been discussed.

For Ukraine, the issue is not simply diplomatic protocol. Any settlement would directly affect its territory, security and future relations with its allies. Kyiv’s leaders have consistently maintained that negotiations cannot produce a durable outcome if Ukraine is excluded from decisions about its own war.

Humanitarian Concerns Remain

Zelensky also spoke with Pope Leo XIV on Monday. The conversation followed the pontiff’s recent call with Putin, during which he raised concern over the severe humanitarian conditions in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied Ukrainian city.

Ukrainian authorities say roughly 2,000 civilians there remain without food and essential medicine. The situation illustrates the human cost that continues alongside the diplomatic confrontation over sanctions, military strikes and negotiating strategy.

With Kyiv maintaining attacks inside Russia and Washington seeking room for diplomacy with Moscow, the gap between the two partners is becoming harder to ignore. Zelensky has said he hopes Trump remains an ally of Ukraine. When asked directly whether he viewed Trump that way, his answer reflected the uncertainty surrounding the relationship: “I hope so.”