Why did the meeting turn into a diplomatic war?

 Fallout of Trump-Zelensky confrontation on Ukraine war and US-Europe relations

NOURNEWS – The Friday meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House not only failed to reach the agreement that many had expected, but it also turned into a scene of deep disagreements between Washington and Kyiv.

Trump bluntly declared that the cooperation agreement between the two countries had been canceled, while Zelensky refused to accept the US conditions for a ceasefire. This political confrontation has now brought the relationship between the two countries to a point that could change the fate of the Ukraine war and Western support for Kyiv.

 

A turning point in US-Ukraine relations

Before the meeting between Trump and Zelensky, both sides had high hopes for reaching an agreement, but the open and unprecedented dispute between the two presidents quickly turned into a political stalemate. Trump stated in an official statement that "the deal is off" and that Zelensky is "not ready for peace." These remarks indicated Trump's disappointment with the Ukrainian president, who was unwilling to accept Washington's conditions for a ceasefire.

Zelensky, in a televised interview, without apologizing and while emphasizing respect for the US, indirectly criticized Trump's positions. He stated, "I think we have to be very open and very honest, and I am not sure that we did something bad." These words indicated that Zelensky still needed unconditional US support but was not willing to surrender to Washington's demands at any cost.

In the meantime, the failure to sign the rare minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine was one of the key points of the meeting. This agreement was supposed to give Washington extensive access to Ukraine's mineral resources, and the US could have recovered its $350 billion arms sales debt from the proceeds. However, due to the differences between the two sides, it was not finalized.

 

International reactions: Europe supports Zelensky against Trump

After the meeting, European leaders quickly sided with Zelensky. The Swedish Prime Minister stated that Ukraine was fighting not only for itself but for all of Europe. The German Foreign Minister emphasized that Europeans would remain "united and cohesive" alongside Kyiv.

France, the Netherlands, and Poland took similar stances, stressing their long-term support for Ukraine.

French President Macron, who recently met with Trump, commented, "We must respect those who have been fighting since the beginning. We have been right in supporting Ukraine and punishing Russia for the past three years." The European Union's foreign policy chief went even further, declaring that the "free world needs new leadership."

These reactions indicate a deepening rift between Europe and the US. While Europe sided with the Ukrainian president in the dispute with Trump, it is also concerned about a potential shift in the US approach to the Ukraine war.

Europe aims to maintain its unity against Russia, but Trump is focused on ending the war swiftly and reducing the costs of supporting Kyiv.

 

Consequences of failed negotiations: Future of US-Ukraine relations

The failure of this meeting has significant implications for Ukraine. So far, US military and economic aid has been Ukraine's most crucial support in its war against Russia. If Trump decides to reduce this assistance, Kyiv will face serious challenges.

Trump explicitly stated in his remarks that he "demands an immediate ceasefire," but Zelensky was unwilling to accept this offer. It seems that Trump is seeking a quick deal with Russia, but Zelensky considers this approach a betrayal of Ukraine.

However, it should be noted that Trump is an unpredictable politician, and his approach may change in the future, depending on the domestic political developments in the US. Additionally, pressure from Congress and pro-Ukraine lobbies could prevent Washington from reducing its support for Kyiv.

 

Europe and US: Deepening the transatlantic rift

One of the most significant consequences of this meeting was the increased tension between Europe and the US. Europe has played a prominent role in the Ukraine war from the beginning, providing billions of dollars in financial and military aid to Kyiv. But now, as Trump seeks to reduce US commitments, there is concern that Europe will bear the brunt of the war.

The upcoming Sunday meeting of European leaders in London, which will be held to discuss this crisis, indicates Brussels' determination to strengthen its strategic independence from Washington. Some analysts believe that the European Union might pursue the formation of an independent defense force to rely less on US support.

Meanwhile, Russia is also taking advantage of these differences. Russian media described the Trump-Zelensky meeting as "humiliating" and expressed satisfaction with Ukraine's failure to secure US support.

 

What's next for the Ukraine war?

The tense meeting between Trump and Zelensky was a turning point in US-Ukraine relations. Trump clearly showed that he is no longer willing to provide unconditional support to Kyiv as before. In contrast, Zelensky demonstrated that he is unwilling to accept a deal that, in his view, endangers Ukraine's independence.

These developments complicate the outlook for the Ukraine war. If the US reduces its aid, Europe will be forced to bear more costs. On the other hand, Russia will exploit these rifts to strengthen its position.

There is a possibility that Trump might change his position in the future or be forced to continue supporting Ukraine due to domestic pressures. However, what is certain is that relations between Washington and Kyiv will not be the same as before. The Ukraine war has entered a new phase in which the country's fate is more dependent than ever on the outcome of global policy confrontations.