Tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have intensified, raising concerns about the future of American military and intelligence support for Kyiv as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.
In a report on Saturday, October 17, Reuters said disagreements over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, US intelligence sharing and energy deals with Moscow had strained relations between the two countries.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Zelenskiy over attacks on Russian refineries, which he partly blames for rising fuel prices in the United States.
The US president said on October 9 that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuel and import Russian diesel.
Zelenskiy, however, said Ukraine would continue striking Russian energy targets while Moscow maintained its attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The Ukrainian leader has also publicly criticised Trump, suggesting Washington was increasingly favouring Russia.
Despite the tensions, Ukrainian officials said Kyiv remained interested in continuing discussions with Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Trump said on Friday that he intended to continue engaging with both Zelenskiy and Putin.
“I want that war to end,” he said.
Ukraine faces immediate concerns over the possible reduction of American intelligence support as it prepares for another winter of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine received no warning from Western partners before a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week.
He also told NPR that US officials had warned Ukrainian commanders that intelligence sharing could be reduced or suspended.
Trump has maintained that Washington is still sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
The disruption of Ukraine’s Starshield satellite communications system, the military-grade version of SpaceX’s Starlink service, has also highlighted Kyiv’s dependence on technology controlled by American companies.
Reuters reported that the service was disrupted following an order that US and Western officials said originated from the White House.
Although service has been partially restored, the incident raised concerns about Ukraine’s vulnerability to decisions by the Trump administration.
Daniel Fried, a former senior US State Department official who now works with the Atlantic Council, said the dispute was damaging prospects for ending the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
He warned that the fallout could worsen suffering in Ukraine and encourage Putin to continue the conflict.
Trump’s relationship with Zelenskiy has been uneasy since their contentious Oval Office meeting in February 2025, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticised the Ukrainian president.
Under Trump, Washington has paused or slowed military assistance to Ukraine while allowing European allies to purchase US weapons for Kyiv.
The latest tensions have coincided with rising fuel prices in the United States ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Analysts, however, say the increase in energy costs is mainly linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran, Iranian attacks on energy facilities and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump’s approach could face opposition from some congressional Republicans who remain supportive of Ukraine and oppose pressuring Kyiv into accepting a settlement favourable to Moscow.
Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration and head of consultancy Global Situation Room, said Zelenskiy’s tough responses to Trump were risky but could reflect expectations that the midterm elections might shift the balance of power in Congress.
Such a shift could make it more difficult for Trump to ease sanctions on Russia or further reduce military assistance to Ukraine.
Despite the public disagreements, Ukrainian officials have indicated that Kyiv remains willing to engage in negotiations as it seeks to end the war without losing access to crucial Western support.
