A planned news conference between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy was abruptly canceled on Thursday. The cancellation came as political tensions escalated between the two countries over strategies to end the almost three-year war with Russia.
The press event, which was supposed to feature statements from Zelenskyy and retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, was altered at the last minute. The U.S. side requested the change, according to Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhii Nikiforov.
No specific reason was provided for the cancellation other than it being in accordance with U.S. wishes. The U.S. delegation did not immediately comment, and the White House did not respond to inquiries about the cancellation.
Photographers and video journalists were allowed into the meeting room where Zelenskyy and Kellogg exchanged handshakes before sitting across from each other at a table in the presidential office in Kyiv.
The two leaders were expected to discuss Trump's efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict. However, recent disagreements between Trump and Zelenskyy have strained their personal relationship and raised uncertainties about U.S. support for Ukraine's war efforts.
The dispute between the two leaders intensified after Russia and the U.S. agreed to work towards ending the war in Ukraine and enhancing diplomatic and economic ties. This agreement marked a shift from the previous U.S. policy of isolating Russia.
Zelenskyy expressed dissatisfaction that the talks were initiated without involving him or European governments supporting Kyiv. Trump's comments about Zelenskyy's popularity in Ukraine led to a sharp response from the Ukrainian president, who accused Trump of being misled by Russian disinformation.
Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy maintains a relatively high level of public trust, as indicated by a recent report from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, voiced support for Zelenskyy and criticized attempts to undermine his democratic legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have expressed approval of Trump's stance and criticized Zelenskyy's rhetoric. The ongoing conflict has resulted in continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians, with recent incidents causing casualties and widespread damage.
As diplomatic discussions continue, Ukrainian civilians endure the devastating impact of Russian strikes, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.
For more updates on the war in Ukraine, visit AP's coverage.
