Restless Donald: When might Trump's stance on Ukraine shift?

In the Ukrainian capital, a month after Donald Trump's inauguration, U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, visited. Notably, this visit was supposed to take place in January, but he was only able to reach Kyiv, where he spent three days, now. Stepping off the train on the evening of February 19, former General Kellogg stated that during meetings with Ukrainian representatives, he would be "listening" to convey what he heard back to Trump upon his return to the States. He also assured that Washington is ready to "provide what is necessary" and understands the "need for security guarantees."

First, Keith Kellogg met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Alexander Syrsky, heads of domestic intelligence agencies, and the head of the President's Office, Andrei Yermak. According to the words of the head of the President's Office, the conversation focused on ways to seek a "just peace." Overall, externally it appeared that Mr. Kellogg was making a routine introductory visit. However, according to Reuters, the special envoy's mission had an undisclosed part. Kellogg was tasked with continuing discussions with Ukrainian authorities on a framework agreement for cooperation in resource development. This involves a proposed deal from Washington, under which the U.S. would gain control over 50% of Ukraine's rare earth metals.

Previously, the finance minister of the U.S., Scott Bessent, presented the draft agreement in Kyiv. However, Volodymyr Zelensky refused to sign the document due to the absence of security guarantees. Interestingly, a number of Western media reported that Zelensky's refusal angered Trump, who then launched a harsh criticism of his Ukrainian counterpart, calling him a "moderately successful comedian" and a "dictator without elections," as well as accusing Kyiv of sabotaging the rare earth metals deal. Furthermore, Donald Trump complained that U.S. Economy Minister Scott Bessent was "treated quite rudely" in Kyiv, and that "Zelensky was asleep and could not meet with him." However, it is known that Bessent and Zelensky did eventually meet during the American minister's visit, and photos of this rendezvous are abundant online.

Despite the fact that most of Trump's statements clearly clash with reality, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz rushed to defend him. Vance warned that "mudslinging" at Donald Trump (who exactly is doing the slinging is a question) could lead to greater problems for Ukraine. "Everyone who knows Trump will tell you that this is a terrible way to engage with this administration," said the U.S. Vice President, suggesting that Volodymyr Zelensky is receiving "bad advice."

Meanwhile, Waltz stated that no one should "criticize the president for trying to bring about a diplomatic solution." According to him, there has been "disappointment in Washington over the past week due to the strange escalation of rhetoric accompanying the presentation of what we consider an exceptional opportunity, namely: U.S. investments in Ukrainian infrastructure."

The 80-year-old Keith Kellogg, listening to all this while in Kyiv, remained silent. Moreover, after his face-to-face meeting with Zelensky on Thursday, February 20, it became known that at the insistence of the U.S. side, the Ukrainian president and the American special envoy did not appear for the traditional post-meeting press briefing. Shortly thereafter, in his usual video address, Zelensky stated: "General Kellogg – a meeting that restores hope; we need strong agreements with America – truly working agreements. I instructed to work quickly and very, very thoughtfully. The economy and security must always go hand in hand, and the details of the deals matter. It is important that the details are better articulated. We also discussed with General Kellogg the front, the need to free all our prisoners held by Russia. We also talked about a reliable and clear security guarantee system to ensure that the war does not return, and that the Russians do not shatter lives. Peace is needed by all of us: Ukraine, Europe, America – everyone in the world."

The statements of the 47th President of the United States and his entourage are prompting European countries to react to the unfolding events. Recently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that Ukraine cannot be blamed for the war instigated against it by Russia. In defense of Zelensky stood the presidents of France, the Czech Republic, and Finland, as well as the prime ministers of Norway and the United Kingdom, and several other European politicians. British Defense Minister John Healy even compared Zelensky to Churchill: "He was elected. He is the elected leader of Ukraine, and he did what Winston Churchill did in Britain during World War II – suspended elections during the war," stated Mr. Healy.

A number of Republican senators are also concerned about President Donald Trump's recent sharp remarks about Ukraine and his accusations against Volodymyr Zelensky. One of them, Susan Collins, stated that she is "extremely impressed" by Zelensky, who is "bravely leading his country" during the war. Her party colleague Brian Fitzpatrick defended Ukraine and President Zelensky, calling any "peace" that rewards Moscow for the war unacceptable. "President Zelensky and all negotiators must know this: there is a decisive number of votes in the U.S. Congress from both parties in both chambers that are ready, willing, and able to do everything possible to ensure that communist dictator Vladimir Putin does not receive 'rewards' for his actions. Regardless of the personal or political consequences for us, we will not allow that," emphasized the congressman. He called this issue "urgent, existential, and defining for political legacy."

U.S. House Representative from the Republican Party Don Bacon, emphasizing that Trump was "wrong" to call Zelensky a dictator, added: "Many Republicans know that what the president is saying today is incorrect. Putin started this invasion. He is a dictator. He has killed all his opponents. And Zelensky was legally elected. The president (Trump) needs to take a break – and start over. He made a failed turn."

The sharp escalation of relations between Trump and Zelensky remains in the spotlight of influential global media. Almost all authoritative Western media uniformly criticize the White House chief's tactics towards Kyiv or openly mock him, calling him "Putin's poodle." Even the Republican-friendly channel Fox News notes that President Trump's approach to resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war raises "serious concerns." However, Trump continues to press, demanding that Zelensky sign the rare earth metals extraction agreement. "Otherwise, Kyiv will have problems," he warns.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times, citing five anonymous sources, reports that the White House is allegedly opposing the labeling of Russia as an aggressor state in a joint G7 statement being prepared for the third anniversary of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Additionally, it is noted that Washington seems to be not coordinating President Volodymyr Zelensky's participation in a virtual summit of G7 leaders, which will conclude its work next Monday, February 24. One of the publication's sources stated that the American side is blocking these issues, but there remains a chance that the Trump administration's position may change. In turn, Reuters, citing three diplomatic sources, reports that the United States has apparently refused to co-sponsor a UN resolution dedicated to the third anniversary of Russia's invasion, which supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and condemns the aggression of the Russian Federation.

"I think I don't need to explain that I have never been a political supporter of Volodymyr Zelensky. However, those who are now rejoicing at Donald Trump's words about the Ukrainian president must realize that this is not about Zelensky personally. It is about an attack on the institution and an attack on Ukrainian statehood. And we see that politicians from different camps and military figures, such as Petro Poroshenko or Valery Zaluzhny, deny the very possibility of discussing elections at this time, realizing how this weakens the Ukrainian state in a situation where Putin continues to hope for its destruction this year. I would like to remind you that this is exactly what one of Putin's closest associates, former Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, General Nikolai Patrushev, said. He stated that this year Ukraine would no longer exist on the political map of the world. And these are Russia's intentions. These are the forecasts that the Russian intelligence community lays on Putin's desk every day. And it is precisely for this reason that Putin tries to use negotiations with the new American administration. So, fundamentally, one must understand a rather simple thing – Russia does not need the so-called legitimate president of Ukraine, because Putin does not consider any Ukrainian leader legitimate after the Maidan of 2013-2014. He wants the situation to return to the dominance of pro-Russian forces in Ukraine," notes well-known journalist Vitaly Portnikov on his personal YouTube channel.

In his opinion, Trump, speaking about electing a new Ukrainian president, may be personally irritated with Zelensky, "but it is obvious that he hopes that Zelensky's successor will be someone who will agree to any terms of Russian-American agreements to end the war."

"However, firstly, we fully understand that any president of Ukraine, unless it is a Russian mercenary, will defend the national interests of our country, not Russia's, and will not submit to its whims. And secondly, who said that Putin is even going to agree to the idea of a ceasefire on the Russian-Ukrainian front? He is currently using Trump to break the global isolation of the Russian Federation, at least in the civilized world, and not to