WASHINGTON – A senior official from the White House expressed on Thursday that President Donald Trump’s intensified criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stems from the administration’s growing impatience with what they perceive as obstacles from Zelenskyy in achieving a resolution to the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia.
These remarks by Mike Waltz, the national security adviser, came shortly after Trump referred to Zelenskyy as a “dictator” and cautioned him to act swiftly in negotiating an end to the war, warning that failing to do so could jeopardize Ukraine’s sovereignty. Zelenskyy had previously accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation during his comments on Wednesday.
Waltz elaborated on Trump’s frustrations, highlighting a need for Zelenskyy to fully recognize the support that the American public and taxpayers have extended, as well as acknowledging the contributions made by Trump during his presidency. He criticized certain statements and perceived insults from Kyiv as unacceptable.
During a White House briefing, Waltz refrained from directly addressing whether Trump considers Russian President Vladimir Putin a dictator or who he believes bears greater responsibility for the conflict. The escalating tensions between the two leaders come just ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the U.S. approach to both countries significantly altered under Trump’s leadership.
Trump has advocated for a peace agreement while attributing responsibility for the conflict to Zelenskyy, neglecting to mention that it was Putin who ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Waltz pointed out that Trump’s frustration was also fueled by Zelenskyy’s rejection of a proposal last week from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. This offer aimed to provide the U.S. access to Ukraine’s vital mineral resources as compensation for American support both past and future.
In a meeting between Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy held in Munich shortly after the Bessent discussions, U.S. officials also brought forth the same proposal. However, Zelenskyy instructed his team not to move forward with the agreement, believing it did not offer adequate security guarantees for Ukraine and was too heavily skewed in favor of U.S. interests.
Waltz remarked on the situation, expressing disappointment at the lack of constructive dialogue following Ukraine’s decision to decline the American proposal, referring to the ensuing media rhetoric as “incredibly unfortunate.”
Earlier this week, Trump reiterated his stance that Ukraine bears some responsibility for the initiation of the war, even though Russia invaded the nation in February 2022. In response to inquiries regarding whether Trump holds Putin or Zelenskyy more accountable for the protracted conflict, Waltz provided a measured reply, asserting that Trump’s primary objective is to end the war.
“His goal here is to bring this war to an end, period,” asserted Waltz, acknowledging the sustained fighting characterizing the conflict as comparable to World War I trench warfare.
This exchange of remarks occurs amidst heightened tensions between the two leaders and growing concern in various European capitals regarding the Trump administration’s renewed outreach to Russia.
To further discussions, Trump sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Waltz to initiate preliminary negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, in Saudi Arabia.
Zelenskyy and several European officials have since expressed discontent over Trump’s decision to conduct these talks without the involvement of Ukrainian or European representatives.
