The strained relationship between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky worsened significantly after their heated argument in the Oval Office. President Trump had previously labeled Zelensky as a dictator and falsely claimed that Ukraine instigated the war. These actions severely damaged the US-Ukraine alliance that was previously fostered by Joe Biden, leaving it in tatters. The public dispute also signals a looming crisis between European NATO members and the United States. Concerns are growing about the US commitment to European security, particularly in Ukraine, as well as whether President Trump would honor Harry Truman’s 1949 promise to treat an attack on a NATO ally as an attack on America. These concerns arise due to Trump’s apparent determination to rebuild his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has exerting heavy pressure on Ukraine while offering significant concessions to Putin, which would require Ukraine to make. The national security of Ukraine is now at stake, and Europeans worry that theirs could be too. President Zelensky’s refusal to make concessions angered Trump, who not only rejected a minerals deal but also suspected that the public disagreement was a planned political attack, either to force Zelensky to bow to America’s demands or to blame Ukraine for any future fallout. If Trump halts military aid following the breakdown in talks, Ukraine will have to continue fighting on, raising questions about the effectiveness and duration of their efforts. The pressure on Ukraine’s European allies will intensify, urging them to compensate for the loss of US support.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2d4e395jxeo