Trump promises peace but doesn't know how to achieve it. Conglomerates are withdrawing investment funds, and the media is calling for support to be restored. Words of diplomatic sympathy contrast with concrete losses. A time of uncertainty is dawning for Ukraine and its allies in the U.S.
Trump: "I don't know if I can stop the war."
During a conversation with journalists aboard Air Force One, the U.S. president admitted that he was unsure if he could stop Russia's war against Ukraine. He noted that ending the war was his priority but bluntly said: "I don't know. I can't tell you if it will happen."
This statement was another step back from his campaign promise of "peace on day one." It has disappointed the Ukrainian community in the US, as many had hoped for a clearer position. Such statements also indicate that the administration lacks a definitive strategy for the war, which could affect aid to Ukraine and the safety of Ukrainian families in the United States.
Zelenskyy: Conversation with Donald Trump Was Most Productive
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, that his latest telephone conversation with Donald Trump was the most productive of all. They primarily discussed the issue of air defense and the possibility of obtaining additional Patriot systems. Zelensky thanked Trump for his willingness to help and confirmed that they are preparing for further bilateral meetings to finalize agreements.
Trump, in turn, noted that Ukraine really needs the Patriots because it is being hit "very hard." Both leaders agreed that the dialogue was constructive and went beyond military issues. For the Ukrainian community in the U.S., this signals that diplomatic relations between Kyiv and Washington are ongoing and that there is room for cooperation, even amid a challenging political climate.
Kellogg: Both presidents are aware of the pain of loss
During the conversation between Trump and Zelensky, US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg said, that not only political issues were raised, but also sympathy. In a social media post, he wrote:
"Both presidents are aware of the pain of losing young people in peacetime and in war. Compassion is a key part of leadership."
Kellogg thanked Zelenskyy for his words of support regarding the tragedy in Texas, where flooding killed dozens of people. This human aspect of diplomacy is important to the Ukrainian diaspora in the U.S., which pays attention not only to weapons and finances, but also to relations between the leaders of the two countries. Currently, Ukrainian organizations in the US are actively collaborating with local officials, including congressmen and senators, to request continued support for Ukraine.
New York Post: Trump Must Resume Support for Ukraine
. The New York Post, a traditionally Republican-supporting newspaper, called on Donald Trump to resume military aid to Ukraine. The editorial states that Russian aggression is the main obstacle to peace and that the U.S.'s refusal to provide support only encourages the Kremlin. The authors pointed out that, after Trump called for a ceasefire, Putin launched the largest attack on Ukraine since the war began.
The publication emphasized that Ukraine is partly financed by confiscated Russian assets, which stimulates the development of the American defense industry. The Post also emphasized that Ukraine's defeat would not only destabilize Europe, but also undermine the US's authority. For the Ukrainian diaspora in America, this editorial is significant evidence of a shift in sentiment, even among conservative media outlets, putting pressure on the White House.
BlackRock Suspends Ukraine Recovery Fund Because of Trump
The American investment company has halted efforts to raise funds for the Ukraine Development Fund since Donald Trump's election victory. According to Bloomberg, BlackRock abandoned negotiations with potential investors at the beginning of the year due to uncertainty regarding the new U.S. administration's position on Ukraine and the administration's general stance on the matter. The fund was expected to raise at least $2 billion from private investors and had nearly reached agreements with institutions in Germany, Italy, and Poland.
BlackRock's decision directly affects plans for military and post-war reconstruction involving the Ukrainian diaspora in the US. The company's vice chairman had previously mentioned the possibility of investments exceeding $15 billion. The French are now developing an alternative proposal, but without US participation, its effectiveness is questionable. For Ukrainians in America, this is an alarming sign that the White House is reducing its strategic support.
Author: Danylo Pievchev