Zelenskyy-Trump Envoy Talks Hit Snag, Press Conference Abruptly Canceled/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A planned press conference between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, was canceled amid rising diplomatic tensions. The U.S. requested the cancellation as disagreements over ending the war with Russia intensify. Zelenskyy rebuked Trump’s criticism, while European leaders rallied behind Ukraine’s president.
Ukraine-U.S. Tensions Quick Looks:
- Planned Zelenskyy-Kellogg press conference canceled at U.S. request amid strained relations.
- Dispute follows Trump’s push to end the war with Russia, excluding Ukraine from talks.
- Trump criticized Zelenskyy’s leadership; Zelenskyy called Trump’s claims “Russian disinformation.”
- European leaders, including Germany and the UK, voiced strong support for Zelenskyy.
- Kremlin welcomed Trump’s stance; Russia called Ukrainian rhetoric “unacceptable.”
- Ukraine faces continued Russian strikes: Kherson bombing kills 1, injures 6.
- Odesa drone attacks leave nearly 50,000 homes without power amid freezing conditions.
- Trump warned Zelenskyy to negotiate quickly or risk losing Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy maintains 57% public trust despite election delays due to the war.
- Russia launched over 160 drones and 14 missiles in overnight attacks.
Zelenskyy-Trump Ukraine Talks Hit Snag, Press Conference Abruptly Canceled
Deep Look:
Tensions between Ukraine and the United States escalated Thursday after a planned joint press conference between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, was abruptly canceled. The Ukrainian presidential office said the cancellation was made at the request of the U.S. delegation, offering no further details.
The press event, initially expected to feature public statements and questions from journalists, was instead reduced to a brief photo opportunity. Reporters captured images of Zelenskyy and Kellogg shaking hands and sitting for talks but were then ushered out without commentary. The White House has yet to provide a reason for the cancellation.
The diplomatic friction comes amid growing discord between Trump and Zelenskyy over how to end Russia’s nearly three-year invasion of Ukraine. Tensions flared earlier this week when Trump’s administration initiated peace discussions with Russia—excluding Ukraine and key European allies from the talks. Zelenskyy voiced frustration over the lack of Ukrainian representation, stressing the importance of Kyiv’s involvement in any peace negotiations.
The spat intensified when Trump publicly criticized Zelenskyy, labeling him “a dictator without elections” in reference to Ukraine’s postponed elections due to wartime conditions. Zelenskyy swiftly responded, accusing Trump of believing Russian propaganda and emphasizing that election delays were necessary for national security. Despite Trump’s claims, a Kyiv International Institute of Sociology poll released Wednesday showed Zelenskyy retains 57% public trust.
Trump further urged Zelenskyy to act swiftly in negotiating with Russia, warning that Ukraine could face complete collapse if no deal is reached soon. Zelenskyy rejected the notion that Ukraine should rush into talks that might compromise its sovereignty, especially with Russia continuing to launch deadly attacks across the country.
European leaders quickly came to Zelenskyy’s defense. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose country is Ukraine’s second-largest weapons supplier after the U.S., called Trump’s remarks “wrong and dangerous,” emphasizing Zelenskyy’s democratic legitimacy. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed that sentiment, stating it was “perfectly reasonable” for Ukraine to delay elections amid the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin welcomed Trump’s position, seizing the opportunity to criticize Ukraine’s leadership. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Ukrainian officials of making “unacceptable” remarks about foreign leaders and expressed approval of Washington’s latest diplomatic overtures.
While diplomatic disputes unfolded, Ukrainian civilians faced relentless Russian assaults. Ukrainian military officials reported that Russia launched 161 Shahed drones and 14 missiles overnight, targeting cities across the country. In the southern city of Kherson, a Russian glide bomb struck a residential building, killing one person and injuring six others, including 14-year-old twins.
In Odesa, Russian drone strikes hit the port city for the second consecutive night, leaving nearly 50,000 households without electricity as temperatures plunged. Emergency crews scrambled to restore power as residents braced for further attacks.
The canceled press conference symbolizes the growing divide between Kyiv and Washington. Trump’s decision to open dialogue with Moscow without Ukraine’s involvement has raised alarm in Europe and deepened fears that U.S. support for Ukraine could wane under his leadership.
Despite the diplomatic fallout, Zelenskyy remains committed to defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity. As Russia intensifies its assault and political uncertainty clouds the future of Western support, Ukraine faces a critical juncture in its fight for survival.
