Trump steps up criticism of Ukrainian President Zelensky
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on MyJoyOnline
Donald Trump has stepped up his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reigniting tensions between the two leaders despite a meeting between Zelensky and US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo. The comments come amid disagreement over US policy towards Ukraine, MyJoyOnline reports.
US President Donald Trump has stepped up his verbal attacks on Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian president of not knowing what he is talking about and calling him an untrustworthy partner the previous week. The statements, reported by MyJoyOnline, come as the two leaders disagree over the conduct of the war in Ukraine and peace negotiations.
Volodymyr Zelensky this month criticised US decisions as “difficult to explain between friends” and said he feared Washington had chosen to slow its support for Ukraine. On Monday, he wrote on Telegram that Kyiv had welcomed all its partners’ attempts to end the war “with dignity”, in response to Trump’s accusations that he was obstructing a settlement.
Tensions were also evident during Zelensky’s meeting with Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo. The previous day, the US president had said Ukraine needed to want to end the war. The exchanges come amid the talks between Zelensky and Steve Witkoff in Oslo, where the envoy is due to present Vladimir Putin with proposals drawn up in Norway.
Relations between Trump and Zelensky had already deteriorated sharply after their televised altercation in the Oval Office in February 2025. Washington then suspended military aid to Ukraine and imposed restrictions, MyJoyOnline recalls. Ian Bond of the Centre for European Reform believes Trump could still change his position, but considers the situation worrying.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
