94Ha Viewpoint
Faced with the change in American public opinion and the tough stance of the Trump administration, and the difficulty of European aid to fill the gap, Zelensky’s expected comprehensive victory is becoming increasingly slim.
The Oval Office of the White House in the United States became a diplomatic arena that attracted global attention on February 28. The meeting, which was originally intended to consolidate US-Ukraine relations and sign a mineral agreement, unexpectedly turned into a fierce confrontation. The dialogue between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky gradually heated up in front of the media cameras until it got out of control.
Zelensky has always taken a tough stance to seek aid from the United States. However, he seems to have not realized that the landscape of American politics has changed. As early as June 2022, after President Biden announced an additional US$1 billion (about S$1.35 billion) in military aid, Zelensky did not express gratitude, but immediately listed additional needs that had not yet been met. Biden was quite impatient with this and raised his voice during the call, urging him to “be grateful for the tremendous support the United States has provided.” Although the Biden administration’s dissatisfaction with Ukraine is becoming increasingly apparent, it has not completely turned against it and still gives Ukraine special treatment beyond other allies. In contrast, US aid to Israel comes with many restrictions, such as requiring Israel to form a coalition government and restrain the use of force, while Ukraine enjoys greater autonomy.
Zelensky mistakenly believed that his tough stance would not bring risks, but the Trump administration’s governing philosophy is completely different from Biden’s.
