Trump’s Shift in Ukraine Policy Creates Tensions with Zelensky

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tensions mounted on Thursday as Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy confronted National Security Adviser Mike Waltz over President Donald Trump‘s recent comments regarding the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. The confrontation arose amidst a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy concerning the conflict that has ravaged Ukraine for nearly three years.

During the exchange, Doocy referenced Trump’s controversial post on Truth Social, where the former president implied that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was partly responsible for the war, calling him a “dictator” and suggesting Kyiv had initiated the conflict. This prompted Doocy to ask Waltz who Trump deemed more accountable for the invasion, claiming that such rhetoric from Trump could complicate U.S.-Ukrainian relations.

Waltz sidestepped a direct response to Doocy’s question but emphasized that Trump’s goal is to end the conflict. He stated, “There needs to be a deep appreciation for what the American people, what the American taxpayer, what President Trump did in his first term and what we’ve done since,” implying that remarks made by Zelensky had undermined Trump’s efforts.

The Biden administration has traditionally framed Russia’s invasion as a violation of international law and responded by imposing sanctions on the Kremlin, while providing military assistance to Ukraine. However, the Trump administration’s recent overtures to Russia, including Trump’s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signal a potential departure from earlier U.S. policies.

On Monday, Trump lauded the potential for negotiations without the presence of Ukrainian officials, which has left many in Kyiv unsettled. Zelensky has openly rejected any agreements made in his absence, asserting that Ukraine would not concede to Russian ultimatums. He firmly stated, “This war is against us, and it’s our human losses,” underscoring Ukraine’s singular plight amid negotiations involving major powers.

As part of the ongoing struggle, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, which was held without Ukrainian representation. Rubio affirmed that discussions would revolve around understanding both sides’ expectations, explicitly noting postal guarantees on territory as an essential component.

“We are not going to see meaningful progress without discussions about the underlying security structures in the region,” Rubio explained. With Zelensky publicly sidelined, he expressed growing concerns that the West’s policy of ‘nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine’ may be faltering.

The current geopolitical climate has turned increasingly tense as both sides prepare for extensive military operations. Meanwhile, the toll on Ukrainian servicemen grows, with recent estimates from Zelensky citing approximately 46,000 military deaths since the onset of the invasion.

In response to the heated atmosphere around the conflict, Zelensky remarked on the importance of cohesive diplomatic engagement among Western allies. He warned against the notion of allowing negotiations to occur without Ukrainian input, emphasizing that any future agreements must prioritize Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.