President Donald Trump has introduced a new set of demands for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a condition for resuming American military aid and intelligence support.
Relations between the US and Ukraine have become increasingly strained following Trump’s controversial decision to halt assistance. This move significantly impacted Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
In response to the pause in aid, Zelenskyy sent a letter to the White House expressing gratitude for past US support in helping Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. He also reaffirmed his willingness to engage in diplomatic efforts toward peace.
However, Trump appears to be leveraging the situation to exert additional pressure on the Ukrainian leader.
According to a US official who spoke to NBC News ahead of peace discussions between American and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, a previously agreed-upon minerals deal—granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s natural resources—is no longer sufficient to reinstate aid. Instead, Trump has introduced more conditions, including significant concessions from Zelenskyy.
Among the former president’s demands is a shift in Ukraine’s stance on peace negotiations with Russia. Trump has also floated the idea of Zelenskyy stepping down as president, according to the same U.S. official. These demands align with Trump’s previous statements suggesting that Ukraine may struggle to survive its war with Russia, even with continued American support.
During an interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated his belief that Ukraine’s prospects for victory were bleak, adding to concerns that his approach to the conflict could alter US policy if he returns to the White House, per Sky News.
Additionally, Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelenskyy over Ukraine’s postponed elections. The Ukrainian leader’s term technically ended in May 2024, but under the country’s constitution, elections cannot be held while martial law remains in effect—a status that has been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
For an election to take place, Ukraine would need to agree to a permanent ceasefire, a position that many Ukrainian opposition figures have also supported in ongoing discussions with U.S. officials.
However, it remains unclear how a nationwide election could be conducted while Russian forces continue to occupy and attack eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. Any attempt to organize a vote under current conditions would pose significant logistical and security challenges.
Meanwhile, Russia has taken advantage of the gap in US military aid by intensifying its attacks on Ukraine. In recent days, Russian airstrikes on the eastern Donetsk region have reportedly killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more.
As Trump continues to apply pressure on Zelenskyy, Ukraine faces mounting challenges in both its defense efforts and its political stability.
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