Hostility between Trump and Zelensky simmering since 2019 impeachment
Hostility between former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been building since at least 2019, long before their recent explosive clash in the Oval Office. Their strained relationship traces back to Trump’s first impeachment, which centered on his dealings with Ukraine.
In a July 2019 phone call, Trump urged Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, then the Democratic frontrunner for the 2020 election, and his son Hunter Biden over alleged corruption. Around the same time, Trump withheld $400 million in military aid to Ukraine, though he later released the funds.
Trump’s allegations focused on Hunter Biden’s role as a board member of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, despite having no experience in the energy sector. He also accused Joe Biden of pushing for the dismissal of a Ukrainian prosecutor investigating Burisma.
These claims led to a whistleblower complaint and accusations from Democrats that Trump had abused his power by pressuring a foreign leader to influence a US election. The impeachment proceedings that followed resulted in Trump’s indictment, though he was ultimately acquitted in the Senate trial.
Amid the controversy, Zelensky sought to remain neutral, but Trump was frustrated by his reluctance to explicitly deny any pressure or quid pro quo. When Biden won the 2020 election, he strengthened ties with Zelensky, providing military aid and rallying international support against Russia.
However, as Trump made a political comeback, tensions escalated. He questioned Ukraine’s ability to hold off Russian forces, signaling a shift in US policy. His outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin further widened the rift.
The hostility became public when Zelensky accused Trump of “living in a world of disinformation” after Trump claimed Zelensky had started the war. Trump fired back, calling Zelensky a “dictator.”
Recent developments have only worsened the divide. The US, breaking from past positions, joined Russia at the UN General Assembly in voting against a Ukraine-backed resolution condemning Moscow’s invasion. Meanwhile, American and Russian diplomats met in Riyadh to discuss ending the war—without Ukraine’s involvement.
As speculation grows over a potential US-Russia deal, Zelensky has protested, insisting that Ukraine will not accept any agreement it is not a part of. His resistance has angered Trump, even as European leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and the UK’s Keir Starmer attempt to mediate.
Trust remains at the core of the conflict. Zelensky, wary after past dealings, deeply distrusts Putin. Trump, however, has expressed confidence in the Russian leader, saying, “It’s trust and verify.” But for Ukraine and its allies, this stance only deepens the uncertainty.
