Thu Feb 20 18:03:23 UTC 2025: ## Trump-Zelenskyy Feud Shakes US-Ukraine Alliance, Leaving Europe Uncertain

**Kyiv/Washington/Brussels** – A bitter feud between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thrown US-Ukraine relations into disarray and sparked deep anxieties in Europe about the reliability of the United States as an ally. The crisis erupted after Trump announced direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, contradicting previous US commitments to include Ukraine in any negotiations.

Trump’s assertion that Ukraine started the war and accusations of misappropriation of US aid, totaling $114 billion according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, provoked a furious response from Zelenskyy. He dismissed Trump’s claims as “disinformation,” while Trump retaliated with personal attacks, labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator.”

The US stance has also alarmed European leaders. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s suggestion that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders and NATO membership are “unrealistic” drew sharp criticism, with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius calling the concessions “clumsy” and “a mistake.” Further fueling European concerns, Vice President JD Vance criticized European restrictions on free speech, suggesting that far-right parties represented the true will of the people. German Chancellor-presumptive Friedrich Merz expressed deep concern, stating, “We are no longer sure if the Americans still stand by our side.”

The proposed US-Ukrainian economic deal, which seemingly hinges on Ukraine providing $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals in exchange for aid, has been rejected by Zelenskyy. He characterized the plan as unrealistic and highlighted Ukraine’s actual receipt of $98.5 billion in US aid.

Russia has reacted positively to the developments, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov questioning Ukraine’s sovereignty and legitimacy at the negotiating table. Russia remains steadfast in its demands for territorial concessions from Ukraine. Intelligence reports from Denmark and Estonia suggest Russia is actively preparing for a potential wider war with NATO, raising further concerns about the situation’s potential escalation.

Despite these setbacks, a Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, points to Russia’s significant economic and military vulnerabilities, suggesting the US could leverage these weaknesses in future negotiations. The current situation leaves Ukraine’s future, and the stability of the transatlantic alliance, highly uncertain.

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