After tensions between U.S President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky flared, a planned joint press conference was canceled after peace talks. The countries are struggling to find a peaceful solution to the three-year long conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Scheduled remarks to the media from Zelensky and the U.S. envoy, U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, devolved into a photo op at the last minute. Instead of answering questions and delivering statements, they posed for pictures. Requested by the U.S., according to the Ukrainian presidential spokesperson Serhii Nikiforov, this change was in line with the pattern of conflict between the new U.S. administration and Zelenskyy.
U.S. support for Ukraine for the future seems doubtful. This tension, along with Trump’s criticisms of Zelenskyy’s rule are straining relations between both countries. Trump recently remarked that Zelenskyy was “a dictator without elections” and didn’t have support from the general public. Zelenskyy delayed elections to April 2024 because of the war. British Prime Minister Keir Starner had expressed support for Zelenskyy, and stated that it was “perfectly normal” to postpone elections due to war.
Zelenskyy had expressed interest in thoroughly explaining the state of affairs in Ukraine to Kellogg during the conference, along with discussion of Trump’s strategies in ending the war.
Kellogg has long been Trump’s ally when it comes to matters of defense, citing an “America First” strategy to diplomacy and national security. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, shares a philosophy of political peace on his Telegram.
Zelenskyy shared how the meeting with Kellogg was a “good conversation, lots of details.” He then emphasized his vision for the future of Ukraine.
“We can and must make peace reliable and lasting so that Russia can never return with war again,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “Ukraine is ready for a strong, truly beneficial agreement with the President of the United States on investments and security.”
Regarding the war, Trump suggested over a week ago that Ukraine “should never have started it” while speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort. This dichotomy is apparent in the tension between the U.S. and Ukraine. Russia has backed Trump’s statements, with the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov making pointed remarks directed at “the Kyiv regime.”
“Representatives of the Ukranian regime, especially in recent months, often allow themselves to make statements about the heads of other states that are completely unacceptable,” said Peskov.
At the moment, Russia’s drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities have shown no signs of stopping any time soon.
