Donald Trump has issued new demands to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, making it clear that resuming U.S. military aid will require more than just a minerals agreement. According to a U.S. official, Trump now expects Ukraine to show a willingness to cede some territory to Russia, begin the process of holding elections, and possibly even step down as president.
Tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine have been rising since Trump paused military aid and intelligence support, arguing that the U.S. should not be indefinitely funding the war. Zelenskyy responded with a letter expressing gratitude for past U.S. support and reaffirming his commitment to negotiating peace, but Trump’s latest demands indicate that he wants Ukraine to take more drastic steps.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territory to Russia, and elections are currently impossible under Ukraine’s martial law, which was enacted after Russia’s invasion in 2022. However, reports suggest that the U.S. has been in talks with some of Zelenskyy’s political opponents about potential leadership changes.
Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its attacks in Ukraine amid the pause in U.S. military aid, with recent airstrikes killing at least 11 people in Donetsk. As Trump’s administration increases pressure on Ukraine, the future of U.S. involvement in the conflict remains uncertain.
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