Zelenskiy Seeks to Mend Frayed Ties With Trump in Oslo

The friction between Washington and Kyiv has intensified as the Trump administration prioritizes domestic fuel prices, leading to a broader waiver of sanctions on Russian diesel exports. This shift has alarmed Ukrainian officials, who argue that Washington’s economic maneuvers undermine efforts to isolate Moscow. Beyond the economic divide, Kyiv reports critical disruptions in military support, including restricted access to Starlink satellite communications and delays in receiving air defense systems previously purchased by European allies. Washington denies these allegations, maintaining that its support remains intact despite the cooling political climate.

Trump has openly criticized Zelenskiy, suggesting the Ukrainian leader is an obstacle to a negotiated settlement and even proposing that Kyiv seek new leadership to resolve the conflict. This rhetoric, coupled with the administration’s disapproval of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, has left Kyiv navigating a precarious path. Zelenskiy aims to use the Oslo forum—co-hosted by Norway and Finland—to secure a more predictable framework for intelligence and technological cooperation. While European leaders remain committed to Ukraine’s defense, the persistent gap between American priorities and Kyiv’s strategic needs continues to threaten the stability of the Western coalition.