Amidst US Pressure, Ukraine Prioritizes Diplomacy
Despite facing intense criticism from former US President Donald Trump, the Ukrainian government has expressed its determination to maintain stable relations with Washington. In a recent video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy adhered to the advice of former US Vice President J.D. Vance, refraining from publicly contradicting Trump and avoiding further escalation. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s continued interest in fostering positive ties with the United States.
However, Trump has continued to criticize the Ukrainian president, alleging a breach of an agreement on raw materials.
Trump’s Allegations
During an event in Miami, Trump stated that Ukraine had "broken an agreement over rare earth minerals and other things." He claimed that the agreement had been breached "two days ago." In a previous complaint, Trump had expressed frustration that Europe appeared to be benefiting more than the US in supporting Ukraine, which is heavily reliant on Western assistance. Trump has linked US aid to Ukraine to the nation’s access to rare earth elements, the exploitation of which is both economically lucrative and strategically significant.
Commenting on his Treasury Secretary’s recent visit to Ukraine, Trump asserted that Scott Bessent had been treated "very rudely" during his stay. He stated that Bessent had endured a "long, dangerous train trip" only to be met with a "flat-out no" and return empty-handed. According to Trump, Zelenskyy had refused to meet with the Treasury Secretary.
Weeks prior, Trump had claimed in an interview that he had "told them I want the equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals." Zelenskyy dismissed this demand as "nonserious," emphasizing that Ukraine was willing to enter into a formal agreement but would require security guarantees. Negotiations on a contract involving, among other provisions, US access to Ukrainian raw materials were reportedly ongoing.
Ukraine’s Response
Zelenskyy announced that a meeting with US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg had been scheduled for Thursday. He stressed the importance of a constructive encounter and ongoing collaboration with the United States, as it was essential for ensuring lasting peace in Ukraine.
In his video address, Zelenskyy described the ongoing conflict as a war that "we have been trying to end in Ukraine from the first second." This statement could be interpreted as a subtle rejection of Trump’s accusations that the Ukrainian leadership bears responsibility for the war. However, Zelenskyy did not explicitly mention Trump by name.
Escalating Tensions
Recently, significant tensions have surfaced in the relationship between Kyiv and Washington. Ukrainian leaders expressed discontent at being excluded from negotiations between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine’s future. Trump responded to the criticism with harsh accusations, labeling Zelenskyy a dictator and calling for new elections in Ukraine. In response, Zelenskyy implied that Trump was falling victim to Russian disinformation.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, refuted accusations from both the US and Russia that President Zelenskyy lacked democratic legitimacy. He explained that the imposition of martial law due to the Russian invasion and the consequent suspension of elections were not unique to Ukraine. "This is common practice in many countries worldwide, including Germany," Makeiev stated.
Indeed, Article 115h of the German constitution stipulates that the Bundestag’s electoral term, which would normally expire during wartime, is extended until six months after the conclusion of the defensive emergency. "For the duration of the defensive emergency, the Bundestag cannot be dissolved." Similar provisions apply to the term of the German President.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also rejected Trump’s assertion that Zelenskyy was a dictator. "It is simply false and dangerous to deny President Zelenskyy his democratic legitimacy," Scholz told "Der Spiegel" magazine. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock labeled Trump’s statement absurd.
Despite Trump’s claims, opinion polls indicate that more than half of Ukrainians still support Zelenskyy, even three years after the Russian invasion. However, the proportion of Ukrainians seeking an end to the war through negotiation and compromise has been steadily increasing. Concerns remain that Moscow could manipulate elections in the partly Russian-occupied neighboring country and establish a Kremlin-controlled puppet government.
US-Russia Negotiations and Ukraine’s Exclusion
In response to Ukraine’s criticism of its exclusion from a recent meeting between US and Russian negotiators in Saudi Arabia, Trump stated that Zelenskyy "could have gone if he wanted to." Simultaneously, he maintained that the US was "negotiating successfully" with Russia to end the war.
Trump acknowledged Russia’s military advantage over Ukraine, given its territorial gains on the battlefield. "They have a little bit of the cards right now because they’ve taken a lot of ground," he said. In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced alleged new military victories and claimed that the Russian army was advancing along the entire front line.
Moscow’s Response
The conflict between the former partners has been met with glee in Moscow, which has seized the opportunity to further fan the flames. Former President Dmitry Medvedev, writing in English on the "X" platform, declared that he agreed "200 percent" with Trump’s assessment of Zelenskyy as a dictator. Putin, speaking in St. Petersburg, alleged that European partners had taken a clear stance against Trump during the US election campaign and had even insulted him. He maintained that Russia had never meddled in election campaigns.
Western Support for Ukraine
Following the US’s change in Ukraine policy, numerous Western allies have pledged their continued support to the embattled nation. "We stand by Ukraine and will live up to all our responsibilities to ensure peace and security in Europe," said French President Emmanuel Macron after an informal video conference attended by 19 European countries, Canada, and France. He had previously spoken with Zelenskyy over the phone.
