As Trump turns toward Russia, Zelensky drops his restraint
President Volodymyr Zelensky has spent much of the past two years trying to win over Donald Trump. Flattery, constant meetings, and carefully calibrated concessions have become hallmarks of his dealings with the U.S. president. But the strategy has failed, prompting Zelensky to change course and adopt a more confrontational tone. "Frankly, Trump has crossed the Rubicon," a Ukrainian official told…
President Volodymyr Zelensky has shifted from a conciliatory approach to a more confrontational stance toward the United States, following the Trump administration's perceived alignment with Russia. In an interview, Zelensky criticized Trump for abandoning Ukraine and stated, "I don't know who pushed (Trump), but this is not the right side of history."
The President's actions have come under scrutiny after Washington's failure to mediate a successful peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow, as well as obstruction of Ukraine's defense capabilities. Analysts suggest that Trump's recent dealings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and obstruction of Ukraine's defense have pushed Zelensky to this point.
This shift in Zelensky's stance has been met with both criticism and praise domestically, with his approval rating rising among Ukrainians.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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