In Kyiv, Ukrainians reacted with disbelief to the heated confrontation between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. Many citizens expressed frustration over Trump’s claims of Ukrainian ingratitude for U.S. aid and his insistence on compromise with Russia amidst its ongoing aggression. Despite Trump’s comments, Zelensky defended Ukraine’s stance against compromises while showing evidence of war atrocities. Public sentiment leaned heavily in favor of Zelensky, with citizens appreciating U.S. assistance. Concerns arose about the implications of the confrontation on future U.S. support, causing anxiety over the ongoing war’s impact on Ukraine.
Kyiv:
Ukrainians were left astonished by the heated exchange between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.
“I can’t even express how I feel,” remarked Roman Shkanov, 32, an office worker.
“For such a powerful nation to adopt such a feeble position and support dictatorships, essentially bowing to them…,” he criticized the United States.
Trump has accused Zelensky of lacking gratitude for US assistance and has consistently blamed Ukraine for the Russian invasion that began in February 2022, repeating various Kremlin narratives regarding the origins of the conflict.
During their meeting in Washington, Trump suggested that Ukraine would need to make concessions in reaching a peace deal with Russia, which has invaded and devastated large portions of the country.
In response, Zelensky presented Trump with images of war atrocities and asserted that “no compromises” could be made while Russian forces occupy Ukrainian land.
“He stood firm for our interests. He prevented us from falling into any sort of subjugation,” said Shkanov.
In Kyiv’s streets, many echoed this sentiment, showing support for their president in the wake of Trump’s latest remarks.
“You can’t stay silent” when Trump and Vice President JD Vance “are spouting this utter nonsense,” stated Valentyn Burianov, 26.
“He acted as he should,” he added.
– ‘Hit a nerve’ –
Anna Plachkova, a 26-year-old doctor waiting for a taxi in central Kyiv, highlighted that all Ukrainians are “extremely thankful and very aware of the sacrifices made by people in other nations to help Ukraine.”
“I believe (Trump) struck a nerve, as it’s quite a serious claim to label us as ungrateful,” she went on.
The United States has provided Ukraine with over $60 billion in military aid since the onset of Russia’s invasion, based on official data.
The Kiel Institute, a German economic research organization, reported that from 2022 until the end of 2024, the US allocated a total of 114.2 billion euros ($119.8 billion) in financial, humanitarian, and military support.
Plachkova expressed concern upon hearing about the altercation.
“US support is crucial,” she noted, adding that the unsuccessful meeting could “significantly affect our situation and the trajectory of the war.”
Her worries were echoed by Lilia Ivanova, 22.
“I have a sense that none of this is beneficial; what’s occurring is detrimental to Ukraine,” she mentioned.
She had hoped that Trump, who campaigned for re-election with promises of quickly resolving the conflict, might bring some stability to her war-affected nation.
“There were expectations that the war would conclude in a week, in three months, in a year… We had some optimism with Trump, but those hopes are fading.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)