Zelenskyy’s Trump dilemma: Fight back or fold?
Defying the U.S. president risks costing Ukraine vital military support. But giving in could prove even more dangerous.
This article has not been analyzed yet.
Analysis will be added once processing is complete.
Nathalie Tocci argued that Trump's ability to force Kyiv into a settlement has diminished because he has already withdrawn most American support.
"But Trump’s ability to force Kyiv into a settlement has diminished, according to Nathalie Tocci, who advised two former EU foreign policy chiefs. Having already withdrawn most American support, Trump has reduced his leverage over Ukraine and Europe, she argues."
Zelenskyy described Trump's diesel deal as 'a weak decision' and 'a gift to Putin' that would fund Russia's war.
"The Ukrainian president immediately dubbed Trump’s deal a “weak decision” and “a gift to Putin” that will fund Russia’s war."
Donald Trump called for Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy as their leader.
"Even more defiantly, he approved further drone strikes on Russian refineries, prompting Trump to call for Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy as their leader."
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said Putin is not ready to stop the war or even agree a ceasefire, and that U.S.-Russian deals discussed so far amount to Ukrainian capitulation.
"“He’s not ready to stop the war or even agree a ceasefire,” she said."
"“From my understanding, all the other ‘deals’ which have supposedly been discussed by U.S. negotiators with the Russians have been only about the capitulation of Ukraine and basically the country ceasing to exist as a free, independent, sovereign state.”"
Donald Trump planned to lift sanctions on Moscow to allow the import of millions of tons of diesel fuel from Russia.
"The U.S. president’s plan to lift sanctions on Moscow to allow diesel imports came as a sucker punch for most Ukrainians enduring barrages of jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles, with civilian casualties mounting."
Zelenskyy stated on Telegram that any de-escalation steps must be mutual, conditioning a halt to refinery strikes on Moscow ceasing its air barrage.
"He insists Ukraine will only halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow ceases its air barrage. “Any de-escalation steps must be mutual,” he wrote on Telegram."
Former President Petro Poroshenko defended Zelenskyy against Trump's call for his replacement, saying Russia is the one that needs a new leader.
"Even former President Petro Poroshenko, a bitter political rival, defended Zelenskyy against Trump’s call for his replacement."
"“If anyone needs a new leader, it is Russia,” Poroshenko said in comments."
Zelenskyy approved further drone strikes on Russian refineries in defiance of Trump's demands.
"Even more defiantly, he approved further drone strikes on Russian refineries, prompting Trump to call for Ukrainians to replace Zelenskyy as their leader."
Opposition lawmaker Mykola Knyazhitskiy said Trump's calls to replace Zelenskyy ironically strengthen the Ukrainian leader's position at home.
"Trump’s calls to replace Zelenskyy ironically strengthen the Ukrainian leader’s position at home, opposition lawmaker Mykola Knyazhitskiy said."
"“There’s no greater campaigner for Zelenskyy than Donald Trump,” he added. “After every such conflict, Zelenskyy’s approval rating rises both in Ukraine and among our allies, particularly in Europe.”"
The Trump administration threatened to halt a program through which allies purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine.
"The Trump administration has also threatened to halt a program through which allies purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine, the Financial Times reported Monday."