Why the Trump crisis was predictable and what it means for Ukraine: Political scientist's opinion

“Calling it a catastrophe might be too strong, though the term is often used and partially fits the situation. I would use another term — crisis. It is a sudden crisis that emerged situationally due to a combination of emotional circumstances. Neither Zelenskyy nor Trump planned it or wanted it. On the contrary, they aimed to demonstrate how well they could negotiate and sign agreements,” Fesenko noted.

In his view, the crisis that arose was predictable and resulted from shifts in US foreign policy and related factors.

“Unfortunately, this had been building up, and now the rupture has occurred — the UN resolution, the problems that started to arise in the negotiation process. This happened because US policy toward Russia, Ukraine, and the definition of the Russia-Ukraine war has changed, which became clear during the Oval Office confrontation,” the analyst explained.

He added that there were also disputes over a resource agreement. According to the analyst, this may not be the end of the confrontation, and further developments are possible.

He pointed out that the crisis is now in its acute phase, affecting US-Ukraine relations, particularly between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump, and the potential peace process. It is a crisis of fundamentally different approaches.

Fesenko does not rule out negative consequences and serious risks for Ukraine.

“But the signals from the White House indicate they do not want to end negotiations on ending the war. This gives us a certain opportunity. I believe Ukraine now needs to adjust its approach to the strategy and tactics of the negotiation process. There are also several realities that must be acknowledged — sooner or later, this had to be done. At this point, the only viable option to end the war, at least under Trump, is a ceasefire,” he stated.

Conflict between Zelenskyy and Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington on February 28, where he met with President Donald Trump.

During their conversation at the White House, a dispute broke out between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance over the war in Ukraine.

Following the argument, Trump gathered with his key advisers in the Oval Office. Later, Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House early.

US President Donald Trump accused the Ukrainian president of allegedly being unwilling to make peace.

Moreover, Washington had expected a deal between Ukraine and the US on minerals. However, this did not happen.

For more details about Zelensky's meeting with Trump, read RBC-Ukraine's report.