Ukraine is facing mounting pressure as it struggles to secure continued Western military aid, with tensions between Kyiv and Washington escalating. The latest remarks from both sides add to uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intensified on Wednesday after Trump referred to the Ukrainian leader as a “dictator” in a post on Truth Social. The remarks followed Zelenskyy’s earlier claim that the U.S. president was trapped in a “Russian disinformation bubble.”
The dispute comes as Ukraine seeks continued Western military aid. Since 2022, the country has received $67 billion in U.S. weapons and $31.5 billion in financial support, but Washington has grown increasingly critical of the assistance. The U.S. president claimed Ukraine had “talked the United States into spending $350 billion” on a war that “never had to start.”
Kyiv’s leader dismissed the remarks, pointing to 57% approval ratings among Ukrainians and rejecting suggestions of territorial concessions. He stressed that “no decisions can be made behind our backs” and criticised U.S. demands for Ukraine to hand over $500 billion in rare earth minerals, calling them “not a serious conversation.”
Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions grew as Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The talks, which excluded Ukraine, have unsettled Kyiv, raising concerns over a shift in Washington’s approach.
In Moscow, officials welcomed recent statements from the American leader, noting that he was the first Western figure to acknowledge NATO’s role in the war. The Kremlin has also questioned Ukraine’s leadership, citing the absence of elections since 2019—though Ukrainian law prohibits voting during wartime.
The U.S. president has insisted he could end the war quickly, claiming Kyiv’s leader “wants to keep the gravy train going.” His stance aligns with Moscow’s position, increasing uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Armenia remains hopeful that talks with Türkiye on reopening the border will yield positive results, with National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional peace and stability, as reported by Armenian media.
Boston, February 19, 2025 – In a powerful display of national pride and defiance, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Canada’s recent win in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final as a platform to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
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n 2024, Russian courts imposed fines on Google LLC four times, totaling 15.1 million rubles ($172,300), according to the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor).
11 countries pledged to fully enforce UN sanctions on North Korea after the first MSMT meeting. The group, formed after Russia’s veto, aims to track violations and enforcement. Nations reaffirmed their commitment to security while keeping the door open for dialogue.
Boston, February 19, 2025 – In a powerful display of national pride and defiance, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Canada’s recent win in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final as a platform to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France may deploy forces to secure peace in Ukraine after a ceasefire, urging Europe to strengthen its defence amid shifting US-Russia relations.
n 2024, Russian courts imposed fines on Google LLC four times, totaling 15.1 million rubles ($172,300), according to the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor).
11 countries pledged to fully enforce UN sanctions on North Korea after the first MSMT meeting. The group, formed after Russia’s veto, aims to track violations and enforcement. Nations reaffirmed their commitment to security while keeping the door open for dialogue.
Armenia remains hopeful that talks with Türkiye on reopening the border will yield positive results, with National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional peace and stability, as reported by Armenian media.
Boston, February 19, 2025 – In a powerful display of national pride and defiance, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Canada’s recent win in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final as a platform to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
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