From February 28, 2025 onwards, important developments took place in the relations between Ukraine and the USA. During his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a difference of opinion on ending the war in Ukraine and this situation was reflected in the public opinion.
The first half hour of the meeting was relatively calm, but discussions heated up when Vance said that peace should be achieved through diplomacy. Zelensky reminded of the failed ceasefires with Russia in the past and pointed to Putin, saying ‘No one has stopped him’, to which Vance responded, ‘The kind of diplomacy that will end the destruction of your country’. Vance argued that the Ukrainian leader was being ‘disrespectful’ and that he was overshadowing Trump’s efforts to open negotiations with Putin to end the war.[1]
Another tense moment in the meeting was Trump’s reminder of financial aid in response to Zelensky’s call for ‘We were alone’. This clearly showed how Ukraine has become an element of polarization in US domestic politics and how Republicans see Zelensky.[2] Trump emphasized to Zelensky that Ukraine had failed to make progress in the war and underlined that they were in need, saying that their current situation was thanks to the United States. Zelensky’s protests were evaluated as ‘ungratefulness’ by Trump and Vance.
In the end, Trump cancelled the joint press conference with Zelensky and the Ukrainian leader had to leave the White House early. The expected mining agreement was also not signed. ‘Come back when you are ready for peace,’ Trump wrote on social media immediately after the departure.[3] Zelensky openly opposed Trump, but his stance was a step that could risk Ukraine’s support from the United States. For a country fighting in the shadow of great powers, such a move could have come at a heavy cost.
In an interview with Fox News, Zelensky emphasized the strong connections between the American and Ukrainian people and underlined the importance of protecting relations. Emphasizing that Russia had violated agreements in the past, he said that strong guarantees to Ukraine would be decisive in the negotiations.[4] He stated that steps such as the troops to be deployed in Ukraine in Europe or the US taking a stronger stance that it stands by Kiev are the factors that will stop Putin’s progress. Zelensky stated that he would not apologize after the meeting, but accepted that the publicity of the discussions was ‘not good’ for relations.
In the US, the echoes of the tension in the White House also spread to the Congress. Pro-Ukrainian Republican Senator Lindsey Graham argued that Zelensky should resign or send a different leader to carry out negotiations on behalf of Ukraine. Democrats, on the other hand, harshly criticized the Trump administration. Senator Chris Murphy accused Trump of serving Putin’s interests, saying that what happened in the Oval Office was a ‘planned trap in the interests of Russia’.[5]
This was a diplomatically tense moment in which the tensions between the US and Ukraine were clearly on display. Afterwards, European leaders quickly shared messages emphasizing their support for Ukraine.
In particular, senior officials of the European Union (EU) have taken a clear position against Trump’s behavior. EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas reaffirmed solidarity by saying ‘Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine’.[6] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, ‘The bravery of the Ukrainian people is your honor. You are never alone.’ and clearly expressed her support.
Similar messages came from the powerful countries of Europe. Friedrich Merz, the probable new Chancellor of Germany, emphasized the victimization of Ukraine by saying ‘We must never confuse the aggressor with the victim in this terrible war’.[7] French President Emmanuel Macron also took a clear stance by saying, ‘There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine’. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated his country’s unshakable support. However, there was a notable exception in this process: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, unlike other European leaders, did thank Trump. This once again revealed that Hungary has taken a different position from the general trend in Europe.
In his statement at Truth Social after the meeting with Zelensky, Trump announced that he cancelled the rare minerals agreement, implying that the US support to Ukraine was used as a bargaining chip, saying ‘Zelensky is not ready for peace as long as America is involved, because he thinks that our support gives him a great advantage’. In his statement after the meeting, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine wants justice and that there should be a permanent peace environment. These developments show that there has been a significant change in the United States’s stance towards Ukraine and that Europe is ready to fill this gap. However, the uncertainty in Trump’s Ukraine policy seems to have further strengthened European solidarity.
In statements dated March 4-5 2025, US President Donald Trump announced in his first speech to Congress that he had received a letter from Zelensky stating that he was ready to come to the negotiating table.[8] Trump also stated that Ukraine was ready to sign a mining agreement with the United States, adding that serious talks were also taking place with Russia.
Zelensky, listed the steps that could be taken to stop the war on social media and proposed a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in the air and at sea. However, the Trump administration decided to stop military aid to Ukraine. This decision is noteworthy as it came after the tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House. While Trump blamed Zelensky for blocking the peace talks, Zelensky emphasized that they wanted a constructive interaction in the future. While these developments point to a serious change in the US policy towards Ukraine, they create uncertainty in terms of Zelensky’s position and the future of the war.
This crisis shows that the relations between Ukraine and the US have entered a fragile period and Europe should become a more decisive actor in this process. While the uncertainty in the Trump administration’s Ukraine policy creates risks for Kiev, the solidarity messages of the EU countries revealed that the support for Ukraine will continue. However, the presence of countries with different attitudes within Europe, such as Hungary, may make it difficult for the EU to develop a common strategy. While the change in the US approach towards Ukraine creates a dynamic that may affect the progress of the war, the Ukrainian leadership may have to adapt to these new conditions. Diplomatic negotiations have become more important in the progress of the war and international balances are being reshaped.
[1] Josh Marcus, “Zelensky insists relationship with Trump can still be salvaged as he hits back after White House clash”, Independent, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/zelensky-trump-white-house-deal-b2707017.html, (Date Accession: 02.03.2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Andrew Mark Miller, “Zelenskyy breaks silence on social media after fiery Oval Office exchange with Trump: ‘Thank you America’”, Fox News, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/zelenskyy-breaks-silence-social-media-after-fiery-oval-office-exchange-trump-thank-you-america, (Date Accession: 02.03.2025).
[5] Ibid.
[6] Malek Fouda & Daniel Bellamy, “European leaders unite behind Ukraine following Trump-Zelenskyy confrontation”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/28/after-zelenskyy-and-trump-argue-eu-leaders-voice-their-full-support-for-ukraine, (Date Accession: 02.03.2025).
[7] Ibid.
[8] Jake Lapham, “Trump says he ‘appreciates’ Zelensky message on Ukraine peace”, BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2jzpn5j8do, (Date Accession: 06.03.2025).
