Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to forge a robust and mutually beneficial partnership with the United States on Thursday. His statement came after a meeting with Keith Kellogg, the US envoy for Ukraine and Russia, amid growing tensions between him and former US President Donald Trump.
Zelensky outlined Ukraine’s commitment to working swiftly and tirelessly to finalize agreements related to investments and security with the United States. In a post on X, he wrote, “We must and can ensure that peace is strong and lasting—so that Russia can never return with war.” He reiterated Ukraine’s eagerness for a strong and effective agreement with the US, saying, “Our team is ready to work 24/7” to achieve these results.
The statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Zelensky and Trump, who have recently exchanged critical remarks. The dispute has added to the uncertainty surrounding the future of US support for Ukraine’s war effort.
Originally, Zelensky and Kellogg were scheduled to hold a press conference after their talks, where they were expected to address the media. However, the US side abruptly changed the event into a photo opportunity, excluding comments or questions from the two figures. The decision to cancel the press conference came from the US side, as confirmed by Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Serhii Nikiforov.
This diplomatic shift coincided with growing frustration between Ukraine and the US over the handling of the war with Russia. Recently, Trump and Russia announced a move towards improving their diplomatic and economic relations, signaling a potential shift in US foreign policy. The development caused discontent in Kyiv, especially after US representatives opened talks with Russia without consulting Zelensky or European allies who have long supported Ukraine.
Tensions worsened when Trump claimed that Zelensky was highly unpopular in Ukraine, sparking a harsh rebuttal from the Ukrainian leader. Zelensky accused Trump of being misled by Russian disinformation, asserting that the former US president was unaware of the true situation in Ukraine. According to a recent survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Zelensky still enjoys significant public trust, with approximately 57 percent of Ukrainians supporting him.
Trump, in turn, criticized Zelensky, calling him “A Dictator without Elections!!” due to Ukraine’s postponement of elections scheduled for April 2024 because of the ongoing war. The former US president also suggested that Ukraine bore some responsibility for the conflict with Russia.
Despite the political rift, Zelensky remains focused on strengthening ties with the United States. He expressed Ukraine’s unwavering commitment to building a lasting peace and securing much-needed support for the country’s defense and recovery efforts.
As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the future of US-Ukraine relations will likely hinge on the outcome of these diplomatic challenges.
