Trump Softens Tone on Zelenskyy Ahead of Meeting Amidst Shifting Ukraine Policy
Washington D.C. – Former President Donald Trump noticeably softened his rhetoric towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, just a day before their scheduled meeting. The shift comes amidst growing international concerns regarding Trump’s evolving stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and his increasingly close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
When questioned by reporters about his previous characterization of Zelenskyy as a “dictator,” Trump appeared to backtrack, stating, "Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question." This denial contrasts sharply with his recent social media posts where he explicitly labeled Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections," referencing the postponement of Ukraine’s spring 2024 elections due to the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s initial criticism stemmed from Zelenskyy’s reluctance to cede control of Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources in exchange for continued U.S. financial and military support. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to "recoup" the substantial financial investment the United States has made in defending Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
The softening of Trump’s tone occurred during a meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Oval Office. The bilateral meeting was overshadowed by the widening divergence between the U.S. and its European allies regarding the handling of the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump’s recent engagement with Putin marks a significant departure from longstanding U.S. policy, raising concerns among European nations who have been steadfast in their support for Ukraine.
Despite his previous harsh words, Trump claimed to have a positive rapport with both leaders. "I have a very good relationship with President Putin. I think I have a very good relationship with President Zelenskyy," he stated, seemingly attempting to downplay the recent tensions.
The upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy is expected to focus on a deal that would allow the U.S. to extract and profit from Ukraine’s rare mineral resources. Under the proposed agreement, Ukraine would allocate a portion of the revenue generated from these resources to repay the U.S. for the financial assistance it has provided during the war.
"We’re going to be actually in there, digging our hearts out," Trump proclaimed, emphasizing the strategic importance of these resources. "We need the rare earth."
In his earlier Truth Social post, Trump accused Zelenskyy of being "very low in Ukrainian Polls" and of manipulating former President Joe Biden. This attack followed Zelenskyy’s criticism of Trump, accusing him of operating within a "disinformation space."
The potential minerals deal has been a contentious issue, with Zelenskyy initially hesitant to relinquish control over these valuable assets in exchange for continued U.S. support. Trump’s insistence on recouping U.S. investments has further complicated the negotiations.
During the exchange with Prime Minister Starmer, Trump asserted that the U.S. should receive similar financial returns on its aid to Ukraine as European nations do. "It maybe got a little bit testy because we wanted to have a little bit of what the European nations had. You know, they get their money back by giving money. We don’t get the money back," he said.
Starmer, however, interjected to correct Trump’s assertion, stating, "We’re not getting all of ours. Quite a bit of ours was gifted, actually."
The United States Congress has allocated approximately $175 billion towards the war effort, with roughly $106 billion directly supporting Ukraine.
Another significant obstacle in finalizing the minerals deal has been Ukraine’s pursuit of security guarantees from the United States. Ukraine seeks assurances that the U.S. will intervene to prevent Russia from reigniting the conflict after a potential peace agreement is reached.
However, during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump stated that the U.S. would not provide security guarantees to Ukraine in exchange for mineral rights, suggesting that Europe should bear the responsibility for ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security. "I think Europe will largely be responsible for that," Trump said.
Trump has also repeatedly refused to apply the "dictator" label to Putin, despite using it to describe Zelenskyy, raising further questions about his allegiances and his understanding of the geopolitical landscape.
Trump expressed confidence in Putin’s commitment to adhering to the terms of any potential peace agreement, citing their shared experience as subjects of the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
"I think he’ll keep his word," Trump stated. "I’ve spoken to him. I’ve known him for a long time now. We had to go through the Russian hoax together. That was not a good thing. It was not fair."
Trump’s assertion overlooks the U.S. intelligence community’s detailed findings regarding Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 election, raising concerns about his willingness to acknowledge and address Russian aggression.
The shift in Trump’s tone towards Zelenskyy, coupled with his continued cordiality towards Putin, underscores the significant changes in U.S. foreign policy under his leadership. As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, the international community remains wary of Trump’s evolving stance and its potential implications for the future of the conflict and the broader geopolitical order. The upcoming meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy will be closely watched for further indications of the direction of U.S.-Ukraine relations and the potential resolution of the minerals deal.
