Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pushed back against former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent claim that Ukraine was to blame for Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Speaking on Wednesday, Zelenskiy accused Trump of being influenced by Russian propaganda and misinformation.
Ahead of discussions with Trump's Ukraine envoy, Zelenskiy responded to Trump’s statement that Ukraine “should never have started” the war, emphasizing the need for Trump's team to better understand the truth about Ukraine’s situation.
Trump also cited a claim that Zelenskiy’s approval rating had dropped to 4%, which the Ukrainian leader dismissed as a fabrication originating from Russian sources. “We have proof that these figures are being circulated between the U.S. and Russia. Unfortunately, President Trump is living within this disinformation bubble,” Zelenskiy told Ukrainian television. According to a February survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 57% of Ukrainians still trust their president.
U.S. Policy Shift and Russia's Response
Trump’s early moves in office have significantly altered Washington’s approach to Ukraine and Russia. His administration has ended efforts to isolate Moscow, engaging directly with Russian officials. A phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by senior U.S.-Russia negotiations, has marked a shift in diplomatic dynamics.
Trump has also indicated a potential meeting with Putin this month. While the Kremlin has signaled that such a meeting might take longer to arrange, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund expects some American businesses to resume operations in Russia by the second quarter of the year.
Meanwhile, Putin has praised the recent U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia regarding the war in Ukraine, saying they have yielded "results," though Russian media provided no further details. Notably, these discussions have excluded both Ukraine and European nations, with Trump insisting that European countries should take the lead in securing any ceasefire.
Ukraine’s Stance on Security and Economic Proposals
Zelenskiy has suggested that Ukraine could grant U.S. companies rights to extract its valuable mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees from Washington. However, he noted that Trump has not shown interest in such an arrangement.
Addressing Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. aid, Zelenskiy stated that America has provided $67 billion in military assistance and $31.5 billion in budgetary support. However, he dismissed claims that Ukraine owes the U.S. $500 billion in mineral resources, calling such demands unrealistic. "This is not a serious conversation. I cannot sell my country," he asserted.
As the war nears its third anniversary, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, arrived in Kyiv, stating he expects "substantial discussions" and acknowledging the need for security guarantees. "Part of my mission here is to listen," Kellogg told reporters.
Global Reactions and European Opposition
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised Trump’s claim that NATO’s expansion efforts in Ukraine contributed to the war. However, Trump’s stance has widened the policy rift between the U.S. and its European allies.
On Wednesday, European Union envoys finalized a 16th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum exports and vessels suspected of transporting sanctioned Russian oil. French officials voiced confusion over Trump’s assertion that Ukraine was responsible for the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron planned an informal meeting with European and NATO allies, including Canada, to discuss Ukraine’s future. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged ongoing divisions within the EU but reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. "We must stay focused and continue our support," he said.
Russia’s Offensive and Ukraine’s Countermeasures
Despite international diplomatic maneuvers, Russia continues its relentless assault on Ukraine. On Wednesday, Moscow launched a wave of drone strikes on the southern port city of Odesa, wounding four civilians, including a child, and crippling energy infrastructure. As temperatures drop below freezing, at least 160,000 residents were left without heating.
The Kremlin maintains that its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector are aimed at weakening military capabilities, denying allegations of deliberate civilian targeting. However, thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the conflict.
Ukraine has also escalated its strikes on Russian energy assets. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces disrupted oil flows through a key Russian pipeline supplying Kazakhstan and global markets, reducing capacity by 30-40%, according to Russian officials. Putin acknowledged the impact, saying repairs would not be quick, and accused European nations of coordinating the attack.
Tensions at the Frontline
As fighting rages across Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions, Russian forces continue their push for more territorial gains. In the frontline village of Novopavlivka, once-peaceful streets are now filled with armored vehicles, while helicopters roar overhead amid the sounds of explosions and heavy gunfire.
Former village head Mykola Havrylov expressed frustration over the West’s measured military and diplomatic support, questioning why more aid had not been provided. "I don’t understand it, and I think I’m not the only one," he said.
As the war grinds on, Ukraine remains at the center of a geopolitical battle between Russia, the U.S., and its European allies—one that continues to shape the future of the region.