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By Shane Croucher
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The tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky manifested in a harsh exchange of rhetoric between the two leaders over America's softening position toward Russia in peace negotiations to end the war.
Trump accused Ukraine of having started the war—which Russia began—and called Zelensky a "dictator" because elections have been postponed while the conflict rages.
The American president's allies, including Elon Musk, have simultaneously launched attacks on Zelensky's leadership and character on social media, including allegations that U.S. resources sent to aid Ukraine's defense have disappeared without explanation.
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Zelensky, meanwhile, has complained about negotiations between the U.S. and Russia that do not include Ukraine, and he said Trump is living within a bubble of Russian disinformation.
Ukrainian officials are also pushing back against the Trump Administration's proposals to take a large chunk of the country's rare earth metals as de facto repayment for the billions of dollars in American military aid.
With Zelensky's status rapidly diminishing in the eyes of Trump and his administration, has the Ukrainian president now become a liability to his country as negotiations with Russia unfold? Should Zelensky have handled Trump differently?
Newsweek has emailed Zelensky's press office for comment.
As Zelensky prepares to meet Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, Newsweek asked geopolitical experts for their views. Here's what they said.
James Carafano: Trump and Zelensky Need Each Other
Trump lets you know when he is not happy. These criticisms, in fact, remind me of harsh attacks he made on U.S. political opponents, some of whom today by the way are in his cabinet and among his most trusted political allies.
A Trump attack is meant to get your attention. So pay attention. Trump and Zelensky need each other to stop the fighting. They will work it out.
James Carafano is Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow at The Heritage Foundation.
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John Lough: Zelenksy Is Earning Respect
By standing up to Trump's brutal negotiating tactics and challenging his deficient understanding of the war and Putin's motivations, Zelensky is earning respect at home as well as across Europe.
His stance may even encourage some of those people in Trump's entourage who favor a tougher approach toward negotiations with Russia to voice their concerns about the approach taken so far.
Trump can change his mind suddenly. European leaders have an important role to play now in persuading Trump that appeasing Putin will be bad for everyone, including the U.S.
John Lough is an associate fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House.
Victoria Vdovychenko: Zelensky Must Deal With Unpredictable and Transactional Trump
A clash was inevitable once Washington and Kyiv failed to find common ground—either on rare earth metals or the framework for negotiations with Russia. Two of Trump's potential "business and pressure deal" projects collapsed before they could take shape, setting the stage for an escalation.
Now, Trump and his allies are expected to ramp up personal attacks on Zelensky while subtly undermining Ukraine as a whole—all while striking a more conciliatory tone toward Moscow.
Despite the turbulence, major breakthroughs or "grand bargains" are unlikely in the near term. However, the coming weeks will see heightened political maneuvering. Meanwhile, the Kremlin, buoyed by premature optimism, has set expectations that are unlikely to be fulfilled.
Zelensky is not a liability, but he must adjust to deal with an unpredictable and transactional Trump presidency.
What are all Ukrainians going to do? The same as we did before: preserve every possible working relationship with the U.S., in particular, strengthening ties with Congress, the Pentagon, and business sectors that have a stake in Ukraine's success.
Victoria Vdovychenko is Associate Professor and Joint Programme Leader at the Centre of Geopolitics, University of Cambridge, and Program Director for Security Studies at the Center for Defense Strategies.
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Heather Conley: Zelensky Must Continue to Fight With All Means Possible
President Zelensky is not a liability for Ukraine. He is defending Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.
Over the past six years, Zelensky has had to politically navigate interference in U.S. domestic politics which involved impeachment hearings, U.S. relationships with pro-Russian figures, and now an emerging U.S.-Russian deal which does not include Ukraine.
I believe he, as well as countless other Ukrainians, have done everything in their power to convince the American people of the importance of and direct link between Ukraine's freedom and American security and prosperity.
All that President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people can do is continue to fight for their country's survival with all means possible and speak about the importance of freedom and the incalculable cost of when that freedom is taken away.
In other words, the best way to respond is for President Zelensky to continue to treat President Trump with respect, regardless of what is said; thank the American people for their continued support; speak truthfully about the unfolding situation and ensure Ukrainian institutions and reforms are as robust as they can be.
That is what is in his power to control.
Heather Conley is a former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bush Administration.
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