WASHINGTON — A senior White House official indicated on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s escalating criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stems from the administration’s increasing annoyance with Zelenskyy’s perceived obstacles in reaching a solution to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
During a press briefing, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz highlighted that Trump’s recent remarks, including labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator,” are tied to frustrations regarding the lack of progress in negotiations to end the conflict. Trump also cautioned that Zelenskyy “better move fast” to secure an agreement, or he might lose the very country he leads. In response, Zelenskyy claimed that Trump was existing in a “disinformation space” propagated by Russia.
Waltz elaborated on Trump’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for Zelenskyy to acknowledge the significant contributions and sacrifices of American taxpayers and the support provided during Trump’s first term. He noted that some comments from Kyiv and personal insults directed at Trump are deemed unacceptable.
When pressed about Trump’s perceptions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Waltz remained noncommittal, avoiding a clear distinction regarding who he thinks bears more responsibility for the war, Zelenskyy or Putin. This exchange of heated rhetoric coincides with the impending third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a notable shift in U.S. relations with both nations under Trump’s administration.
Trump has been advocating for a peace settlement while blaming Zelenskyy for the outbreak of the conflict, conveniently omitting the fact that Putin instigated the invasion of a sovereign nation. Furthermore, Waltz expressed that Trump is displeased with Zelenskyy’s rejection of a recent proposal from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, which aimed to provide the U.S. with access to Ukraine’s essential minerals as compensation for American support during the war and for future assistance.
This proposal was reiterated during a meeting between Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy in Munich shortly after Bessent’s offer. However, Zelenskyy instructed his cabinet not to endorse the agreement, feeling it fell short in providing adequate security assurances for Ukraine and was overly focused on U.S. interests.
Waltz pointed out that instead of engaging in constructive discussions about the terms of the deal, the Ukrainian side opted for unfavorable rhetoric in the media following their decision not to proceed with the American offer. He noted that during the week, Trump suggested that Ukraine might share some blame for initiating the war, despite Russia’s clear act of aggression in February 2022.
Responding to questions about responsibility for the prolonged conflict, Waltz reiterated that Trump’s primary objective is to bring the war to a close. He characterized the currently devastating conflict as reminiscent of World War I trench warfare.
This back-and-forth dynamic between Trump and Zelenskyy corresponds with heightened tension and growing unease in various European capitals regarding the Trump administration’s renewed engagement with Russia. Recently, Trump dispatched Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Waltz for preliminary discussions in Saudi Arabia with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s advisor on foreign affairs, Yuri Ushakov.
Zelenskyy, along with several European officials, criticized Trump for conducting these talks without the participation of Ukrainian or European representatives.
