Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the United States, under President Donald Trump, is effectively pushing Ukraine to surrender to Russia, sharpening a public rift between Kyiv and its most important military backer.
Zelensky's charge came as Ukrainian officials complained about what they describe as lapses in US intelligence sharing before Russian attacks, including strikes on the capital, Kyiv. Damage from a Russian attack was visible in Kyiv on Monday.
The Ukrainian leader's remarks point to a deepening dispute over the direction of Washington's policy toward the war, which Russia launched with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv has relied heavily on US intelligence and weaponry to defend its cities and front lines, and any interruption in that support is treated by Ukrainian officials as a serious risk to civilian safety.
According to Zelensky, the pressure from Washington amounts to a demand that Ukraine accept terms favourable to Moscow rather than continue fighting. He framed the US approach as one that would leave Ukraine exposed, and his comments mark one of the sharpest public criticisms of the Trump administration from the Ukrainian government.
The complaint about intelligence sharing adds a practical dimension to the political tension. Ukrainian officials say information that had previously helped them prepare for incoming attacks was not passed on in time, leaving communities more vulnerable. The strikes on Kyiv are cited as an example of the consequences.
The dispute comes at a delicate moment for Ukraine's war effort, with its forces stretched along the front and its cities still within reach of Russian missiles and drones. Kyiv has consistently argued that military and intelligence support from partners is essential not only to hold the line but to protect civilians.
There was no immediate indication that Washington had responded directly to Zelensky's accusation. The remarks are likely to intensify debate among Ukraine's allies about the reliability of US commitments and about how much pressure Kyiv can withstand as the war continues.
For Ukraine, the public airing of the dispute reflects growing anxiety about the durability of Western backing. Zelensky's statement signals that Kyiv sees the choice before it as one between continued resistance with diminished support and a settlement imposed largely on Russia's terms.
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