A History of Friction: A Timeline of Volatile US-Ukraine Relations Under Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy

United States President Donald Trump has called for the removal of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming the Ukrainian leader for rising diesel prices that have created political pressure for the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. This criticism emerged amid growing tensions between the US and Ukraine following Trump's announcement of a diesel supply deal with Russia.

“I think it’s time for Ukraine to get a new president,” Trump stated to reporters at the White House, asserting that Zelenskyy had damaged global diesel supplies through strikes on Russian refineries. Zelenskyy responded by vowing to continue targeting Russian oil facilities unless Moscow ceases its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

This friction adds to a long history of strained relations between the two leaders, dating back to Trump's first presidential term. Below is a timeline of key moments in their contentious relationship:

October 2026

Trump criticized Zelenskyy at the White House over the absence of a peace agreement and demanded an end to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, shortly after striking a deal with Vladimir Putin to purchase Russian diesel to lower fuel prices.

April 2025

On April 15, Trump suggested that Kyiv initiated the war with Russia. Later in the month, on April 23, he condemned Zelenskyy for harmful statements after the Ukrainian president rejected the idea of ceding occupied Crimea to Russia in a peace deal. Despite these tensions, the two leaders held a private meeting at the Vatican on April 26 during Pope Francis's funeral.

February 28, 2025

Trump and Vice President JD Vance engaged in a shouting match with Zelenskyy during a heated Oval Office meeting concerning rare earth mineral agreements, security assurances, and peace negotiations, prompting Zelenskyy to leave the White House abruptly.

February 19, 2025

Weeks into his second term, Trump labeled Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” during a social media post and a summit appearance in Miami, accusing him of wanting to sustain US military support while Washington sought to negotiate an end to the conflict.

2024 Campaign Trail

Throughout the presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized Zelenskyy for being unwilling to negotiate a settlement to end the war with Russia.

July 2019

During his first term, Trump pressured Zelenskyy during a phone call to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, while the administration temporarily withheld congressional security assistance from Ukraine.