The first interaction between President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was marked by controversy when Trump pressured Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden, a key figure in the opposition, ahead of the 2020 presidential election. This phone call, taking place in 2019, eventually led to Trump’s impeachment. More recently, a diplomatic meeting turned tense as Vice President JD Vance urged Zelenskyy to express more gratitude towards Trump, leading to a heated exchange. Trump accused Zelenskyy of risking millions of lives and the potential onset of World War III by his actions. Consequently, Trump canceled an agreement for the U.S. to access Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a deal that could have furthered efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. This incident has added uncertainty to the U.S.’s support for Ukraine amidst its struggle against Russian aggression.
The relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has evolved significantly over the years. Back in July 2019, Zelenskyy was eager for a White House meeting, which was one of Ukraine’s key diplomatic goals. During a subsequent phone call, Trump hinted at the possibility of such a meeting while suggesting that military support for Ukraine could depend on Zelenskyy assisting in probing into the business activities of Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. At the time, Joe Biden was a frontrunner in the Democratic presidential race, and it was clear that Trump wanted to undermine his candidacy ahead of the elections. Trump, however, denied any wrongdoing and described the call as “perfect.” Even Zelenskyy later maintained that he was under no pressure. Still, Trump faced impeachment charges in December 2019 led by a Democrat-majority House, although the Senate later acquitted him.
Russia’s military operations in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, marking the most significant conflict in Europe since World War II. In response, the U.S., under President Joe Biden’s administration, committed over $65 billion in military aid to Ukraine, establishing sustained support as a core component of Biden’s foreign policy. Despite some Republican dissent against the extensive funding for a seemingly unending war, the Biden administration remained steadfast. In a December 2022 speech to Congress, Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation to Americans, asserting that their financial support is not merely charity, but an investment in global security and democracy.
As Trump campaigned for another presidential term, he frequently posited that Russia would not have dared invade Ukraine under his leadership, claiming he could easily resolve the conflict. Upon re-entering political life, Trump shifted longstanding U.S. policies, engaging with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia and initiating discussions on a mineral deal with Ukraine, intended to pave the way for a peace agreement.
Zelenskyy traveled with President Biden to a Pennsylvania ammunition facility to thank workers producing crucial supplies for Ukraine’s defense in September. He later visited Trump in New York to discuss potential resolutions to the war. The meeting ended with Trump expressing optimism that both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin were keen on ending hostilities. Zelenskyy extended an invitation for Trump to visit Ukraine, to which Trump verbally agreed.
The subject of a prospective Trump visit surfaced again during recent talks, when Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for seemingly favoring Trump’s political opponents during his Pennsylvania trip. Even though Zelenskyy’s visit was not politically motivated, Pennsylvania’s position as a key battleground state put Democratic motives into question. In December, Trump criticized Zelenskyy in Paris, urging him to swiftly negotiate an end to the dispute with Russia to preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty. He also accused Zelenskyy of resisting elections favored by Russia, branding him a “dictator,” although he later softened his stance, recognizing Russia’s aggression.
Before this current trip to Washington, D.C., Zelenskyy had visited the White House multiple times during Biden’s presidency. In anticipation of the mineral deal signing with Trump, tensions seemed to ease, with Trump affirming the importance of supporting Ukraine against Russia. However, when asked about calling Zelenskyy a dictator, he deflected, indicating uncertainty about having made such a claim. The culmination of these events led to the dramatic escalation during the recent meeting, casting fresh doubt on the trajectory of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
