Betrayed by Trump, Zelenski rebels against White House demands

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of betrayal following a series of actions perceived as undermining Ukraine’s position in the ongoing conflict with Russia. In an interview with British television, Zelensky confirmed feeling “betrayed” by Trump, stating that the U.S. leader had become a “strong partner” who was now losing influence. Zelensky linked the recent restrictions on the Starlink satellite network, used by Ukrainian forces for communications, to decisions made by Trump. Elon Musk acknowledged that the U.S. government controlled the military version of Starlink, known as Starshield, and suggested Trump’s involvement in limiting its use. Zelensky has ordered the resumption of attacks on Russian oil refineries, directly challenging Trump’s demand to halt such operations under threat of reduced U.S. military aid. On Wednesday, Russian authorities reported an attack using drones and cruise missiles on a refinery in the Ryzan region, approximately 200 kilometers from Moscow. This move appears to signal Zelensky’s determination to push back against what he perceives as shifting U.S. policy favoring Russia. Trump has proposed unfreezing some of Russia’s frozen assets, a suggestion reportedly discussed in meetings in Miami involving Trump’s peace negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with representatives from Ukraine and European countries. However, this proposal has been met with surprise and resistance from Ukraine and its European allies, who advocate for maintaining pressure on Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that European nations should decide the fate of the frozen Russian assets, valued in tens of billions of euros. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas expressed confusion over the U.S. approach, stating that the focus should remain on pressuring Russia, not on compelling Ukraine to surrender. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense systems continue to face challenges due to the lack of U.S. intelligence sharing and the limited capacity of Starlink services. In the outskirts of Kiev, members of the 9K33 Osa air defense unit described how the absence of timely intelligence from the United States leaves them reacting to threats only once they are imminent. They noted that the outdated Soviet-era system has proven effective in countering Russian drones, despite its age. The unit currently operates with fewer personnel than usual, highlighting the strain on resources. The impact of these developments extends beyond military operations. Civilian populations in Ukraine are increasingly concerned about the implications of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding the potential for increased civilian casualties due to delayed warnings about incoming missile attacks. The reduction in Starlink speeds has also affected the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone operations, which rely heavily on high-speed data transmission to target Russian logistics and intercept enemy drones. With the U.S. presidential election approaching, Trump’s focus seems to shift toward domestic economic issues, including rising fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict. His outreach to Russia could potentially affect the political landscape in the upcoming mid-term elections. Despite the growing tensions, European leaders have shown solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing the need for continued support and pressure on Russia to end the conflict.