Former Ambassador: Ukraine Is Less Reliant on U.S. as Trump-Zelenskyy Rift Deepens
Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. support
Speaking with Amna Nawaz, Taylor said Ukraine depends less on the United States than it did about a year and a half ago. He said the U.S. provides no weapons, financial support or political leadership.
Taylor said he would have avoided personal criticism of President Trump, arguing that Zelenskyy should focus on pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. He described that goal as the result to pursue.
Tensions and Russian attacks
Asked whether worsening U.S.-Ukraine relations could encourage Putin to intensify attacks, Taylor said Americans support Ukraine and oppose Russia. He added that he believes the United States will maintain a strong relationship with Ukraine, including under the current administration.
Taylor also referred to a three-day pause in Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. He said Russia continued striking Ukrainian energy and civilian targets during that period, killing civilians.
Elections and Zelenskyy’s support
Trump has criticized Zelenskyy and said Ukraine needs a new president. Taylor rejected that position, saying Ukrainians support their president for now and cannot hold elections during the war.
He said Ukrainians are eager for elections once a cease-fire is in place or the war has ended, and expects genuine competition then. Taylor said he has visited Ukraine 15 times since the full-scale war began in 2022.
Taylor on the relationship’s low point
Asked whether relations had reached an all-time low, Taylor said Ukrainians are in better shape than before because they are less dependent on the United States. He pointed to uncertainty over whether U.S. commitments might be withdrawn soon after they are made.
Taylor’s comments came amid public tension between Trump and Zelenskyy. He said Ukraine has learned not to rely on any one commitment from one day to the next.
Key points
- Taylor said Ukraine receives no U.S. weapons, financial support or political leadership.
- He believes Americans continue to support Ukraine and oppose Russia.
- Taylor said Ukrainians support Zelenskyy for now and want elections after the war or a cease-fire.
- He said Ukraine is less dependent on the United States than it was a year and a half ago.