A hug offered by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff before talks in Oslo with Volodymyr Zelensky is unlikely to have eased the Ukrainian leader's concerns about the direction of US policy, according to BBC diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams. Zelensky posted video of the moment on social media, writing "Ukraine is working for peace. I thank our partners for their support!" But the past ten days have shown a rupture as deep as any in their fractious relationship.
Trump has intensified his criticism of Zelensky, telling Newsmax last week that "Zelensky's not a good guy for us to deal with," and later telling a reporter that "Zelensky doesn't know what he's talking about" after the Ukrainian leader suggested that a diesel deal with Russia put the US on the wrong side of history.
Zelensky, usually circumspect about his vital but unreliable American counterpart, has shown frustration. Addressing a US congressional delegation, he spoke of "decisions on the American side that are hard to explain between friends" and voiced fear that "some political decision has been made to slow down support for us." In a Telegram post on Monday, he wrote: "We have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to end this war with dignity."
The personal animosity has historical roots. A decade ago, Trump became convinced that Ukraine had tried to prevent his election, and later, as president, he pressed Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden while withholding military assistance, leading to Trump's first impeachment.
Beyond rhetoric, US actions have alarmed Kyiv. Earlier this month, as Ukrainian negotiators arrived in Miami for talks, Trump struck a deal with Vladimir Putin to open US markets to Russian diesel. Experts questioned whether it would lower US petrol prices, but it was seen as a signal of displeasure over Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. Last Friday, Trump waived wide-ranging sanctions on Russia just before they were due to take effect, saying the sanctions in the Graham Act would hinder his peace efforts. Former US ambassador William Taylor told the BBC: "What the Trump administration is doing is providing carrots to the Russians and sticks to the Ukrainians. It's inexplicable and saddening." Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev called it "an important and truly historic moment."
Ukraine also faces reported shortages of Patriot air defence missiles. The Washington Post, quoting an unnamed Ukrainian official, said "only a couple" of interceptors remain in stockpile, and that the US has slowed allied transfers. The reports are not confirmed by US officials.
Zelensky told NBC News that US satellite intelligence warnings were lacking during ballistic attacks for three days. On 12 October, five Russian S-400 missiles hit Kyiv before air raid sirens sounded. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any pause in intelligence sharing, blaming a "software problem." Ukrainian officials also reported Starlink terminals being throttled, complicating drone interception. Rubio said "no-one at the White House ordered anyone to slow down internet," while Reuters reported the order came from the White House.
Analysts note Trump's history of abrupt reversals. Ian Bond of the Centre for European Reform said: "Trump can always do another U-turn. But this does look bad."