The key facts

  • Trump: Zelensky does not want the war to end and probably never did; a deal two years ago would have been better.
  • Bessent: ending the war involves negotiations; Zelensky's accusations against Starlink are 'absolutely baseless'.
  • Zelensky: steps are being taken pushing Ukraine toward capitulation; the US allegedly slows Starlink and delays Patriot missiles.

Trump accused Zelensky of unwillingness to end the war

US President Donald Trump said on the Truth social network that, in his view, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 'does not want to end the war' and probably never wanted to. According to Trump, given the large sums that Europe is generously providing, as well as the funds provided by former US President Joe Biden, Zelensky has no incentive to end the conflict.

Trump: a deal two years ago would have been better

Trump believes that two years ago Zelensky could have secured a more advantageous agreement than now. According to him, the country has been turned into ruins, a significant part of the territories is lost, Ukraine has lost access to seas and oceans, and the male population has shrunk — many, Trump claims, are 'killed or wounded'.

Bessent called Kyiv's position a 'false dilemma'

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with NBC News that Zelensky is promoting a 'false dilemma' by tying the end of the war to Ukraine's victory. According to him, ending the war implies reaching certain agreements through negotiations, and President Trump has been working on this every day since the start of his presidency. Bessent also urged Zelensky to 'be more careful' with accusations against the US about restricting Starlink's operation in Ukraine, calling these words absolutely baseless.

Zelensky: pressure is being put on Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky complained in an interview with Bloomberg that pressure is being put not on Russia but on Ukraine to force it into concessions. 'I believe steps have been taken that are pushing Ukraine toward capitulation,' he said. According to him, he does not consider this the goal of the partners and does not want to think that American partners believe it possible to end the war faster at Ukraine's expense, 'but that is how it looks'.

Claims about Starlink and Patriot missiles

Zelensky again stated that the US deliberately reduced Starlink speed in Ukraine, which endangers the operations of the armed forces, and is also delaying deliveries of missiles for Patriot air defense systems. He cited an example from his latest proposal: Ukraine stops strikes on the Russian diesel industry in exchange for Patriot missiles to protect facilities, but, according to him, they want him to simply give up attacks on diesel fuel production, and in the event of strikes the US disconnects Ukraine from something else.