US-Ukraine relations are witnessing escalating tension with the decline of political and military support for Kyiv, and the administration of US President Donald Trump easing pressure on Russia, raising fears of repercussions on the course of the war. According to the Associated Press, Trump's recent decisions, particularly the refusal to impose new sanctions on Russia, have deepened concerns about the future of the partnership between Washington and Kyiv, amid criticism from lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties.
Political divergence sparks Kyiv's fears
These developments coincide with rising differences between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after the US president called for another party to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, a stance that raised questions about Kyiv's role in any potential war settlement. The agency quoted former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst as saying, "US policy towards Russia and Ukraine seems darker at this stage than ever before," noting that Trump's positions are characterized by volatility, leaving the door open to the possibility of changing his approach again.
Relations between the two sides had previously witnessed sharp tension during the past year, when Trump publicly criticized Zelensky at the White House, and Washington briefly halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, before relations improved later.
Russian sanctions and Moscow's role
Among the most prominent indicators of the shift in the US position is Trump's decision not to proceed with imposing new sanctions on Russia, despite Congress approving legislation with broad support targeting the financial resources funding Russian military operations. Trump's announcement of an agreement to import Russian diesel fuel also sparked criticism from lawmakers in both the Republican and Democratic parties, who questioned the viability of the step, considering it may benefit Moscow without achieving a noticeable drop in global fuel prices.
In this context, former US Ambassador to Poland Dan Fried believed that recent decisions seem aimed at pressuring Zelensky and winning over Russian President Vladimir Putin. For her part, Fiona Hill, former Trump advisor for Russia on the National Security Council, suggested that the US administration's calculations might also be linked to Moscow's stance on the US war on Iran, especially in light of reports of Russia providing technical and informational support to Tehran.
Disruptions in military and intelligence support
Alongside the political divergence, differences emerged regarding the "Starshield" system, the military version of the "Starlink" service operated by SpaceX, which the Ukrainian army relies on for communications and coordinating operations, including operating drones. Zelensky said that restrictions imposed on the service affected Ukraine's ability to counter Russian drones, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk clarified that the system is under US control and that decisions regarding its use rest with US authorities.
Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Washington had not stopped supplying Kyiv with intelligence information helping it counter Russian attacks. Ukrainian concerns go beyond satellite communications, as Zelensky spoke of not receiving early warnings about recent Russian attacks on energy facilities, and pointed out a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles and delays in delivering missiles that he said Ukraine's partners had already paid for.
Growing criticism within Congress
In Washington, criticism of US policy towards Ukraine is widening, including within the Republican Party, as midterm congressional elections approach, which will determine the balance of power between the two parties. Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick called for hearings on the disruptions affecting the "Starshield" system, demanding accountability for any party proven responsible. Lawmakers from both parties also organized a call with Zelensky to discuss developments related to intelligence sharing and military support.
Observers believe that growing objections within Congress may push the US administration to reconsider some of its decisions, especially if fears escalate that easing pressure on Moscow could weaken the Ukrainian position. In this regard, the former US Ambassador to Poland warned that any agreement between Trump and either Russia or China regarding Ukraine could face widespread objections from lawmakers, emphasizing that Washington possesses pressure tools against Moscow but is not using them sufficiently.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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