The streets of Kyiv were filled with a palpable sense of anger and betrayal on Thursday, as Ukrainians grappled with the implications of US President Donald Trump’s controversial phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In a move that sent shockwaves through the Ukrainian capital, Trump appeared to suggest that Russia may have a legitimate claim to some of the territory it has seized from Ukraine, throwing into question the unwavering American support that has sustained the war-torn nation for the past three years.
‘I Feel Angry and Betrayed’: Ukrainians React
For many Ukrainians, the news of Trump’s call was a devastating blow, shattering hopes that the US would continue to stand firmly by their side in the face of Russian aggression. Olena Litovchenko, a personal trainer born and raised in Kyiv, expressed the sentiments of countless of her fellow citizens when she declared, “It feels like Ukraine is being screwed.” Faced with the prospect of a Ukrainian defeat seeming closer than ever, Litovchenko found herself contemplating the unthinkable: leaving her homeland behind. “But then, leave and go where?” she asked, her voice tinged with desperation. “Europe is most certainly going to be next. Go to Australia? I don’t know. I feel angry and betrayed.”
Hopes Dashed as Trump Rubbishes Ukraine’s Role
In the months since Trump’s election victory, many Ukrainians had clung to the hope that the unconventional US president might somehow turn the tide in their favor. Some dared to dream that Trump would forge an unexpected bond with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, recognizing a kindred spirit in the former comedian turned wartime leader. Others held out hope that Trump’s unpredictable nature might lead him to give Ukraine free rein to launch an all-out assault on Russia, in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s more cautious approach.
But those hopes were dashed on Wednesday evening, as reports of Trump’s press conference filtered through to Kyiv. Not only did the US president dismiss the idea of Ukraine being an equal partner in potential peace talks, but he even seemed to imply that Russia might be entitled to hold onto captured Ukrainian land. The words were a “cold shower” for Ukraine’s supporters, wrote journalist Oleh Pavlyuk, who noted that Trump had effectively demolished the twin pillars of US policy: prior coordination with Kyiv and insistence on Ukraine’s right to determine its own future.
Disappointment and Uncertainty Grip the Nation
On the sun-drenched streets of central Kyiv, the mood was one of profound disappointment and gnawing uncertainty. “I feel disappointed and angry,” said Oleksii, a 34-year-old IT worker. “There is no certainty that this war will end for us, because Trump does not perceive us as an equal party in these negotiations.” Serhii, a soldier on leave from the frontline in Donbas, echoed those sentiments, expressing little faith in Trump’s ability to broker a deal that would benefit Ukraine. “We saw how he was during his first presidency … Putin’s doormat,” he said bitterly.
Yet even as they railed against Trump’s apparent capitulation to Putin, many Ukrainians found themselves torn between the desire for peace and the fear of what a premature end to the war might mean. “On the one hand I’m against negotiations because everyone understands that this bastard [Putin] will attack again in a couple of years, unless he dies,” Serhii admitted. “On the other hand, we do have to negotiate, but on Ukraine’s terms. Otherwise, what was I fighting for? What did the guys die for? Why are civilians dying in missile attacks?”
Glimmers of Hope Amid the Gloom
Despite the pervasive sense of gloom, some Ukrainians expressed hope that the prospect of peace, no matter how imperfect, might be preferable to the relentless grind of war. Roman, a 20-year-old chef, said he was glad that the US and Russia were finally starting to find some common ground, even as he acknowledged the potential cost to Ukraine. “I’m glad that the parties have started to find a common language, though I’m afraid at what cost,” he said.
Others clung to the belief that Trump’s mercurial nature might yet yield some unexpected twist in Ukraine’s favor. As one unnamed army officer put it, “The thing with Trump is that he’s totally unpredictable. Today he says one thing, tomorrow another, and we know that the most important thing for him is his ego. So maybe when he sees that everyone is saying he has been outplayed by Putin, he’ll get offended and change course again. We can at least hope.”
Zelenskyy Puts on a Brave Face
For his part, President Zelenskyy sought to project an image of calm resilience in the face of this latest blow. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, he characterized Trump’s call with Putin as “unpleasant” but insisted that his own subsequent conversation with the US president had been “a very good” one. Zelenskyy is set to travel to the Munich Security Conference in the coming days, where he is expected to hold talks with US Vice President JD Vance and a host of European leaders, in a bid to shore up international support for Ukraine’s cause.
We can at least hope.
– Ukrainian army officer
As the people of Ukraine grapple with this latest twist in their long and painful struggle against Russian aggression, the world watches with bated breath to see what the future holds for this embattled nation. Will Trump’s unorthodox approach to foreign policy ultimately lead to a just and lasting peace, or will it simply pave the way for further Russian encroachment on Ukrainian soil? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people, forged in the crucible of war, will not be easily broken – no matter what challenges lie ahead.
