Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Feb 21: US President Donald Trump is "very frustrated" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, National Security Advisor (NSA) Mike Waltz said on Thursday, signaling rising tensions between the Trump administration and Kyiv.
Addressing a press briefing at the White House, Waltz declined to directly answer whether Trump holds Russian President Vladimir Putin or Zelenskyy more accountable for the ongoing war in Ukraine, CNN reported.
"(Trump's) goal here is to bring this war to an end, period, and there has been ongoing fighting on both sides — it is World War I-style, trench warfare," Waltz told reporters.
He stated that Trump’s frustration with Zelenskyy stems from several factors, including what he described as a lack of acknowledgment for American assistance.
"Some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and insults to President Trump, were unacceptable," Waltz said.
The latest rift follows Trump’s remarks on Truth Social, where he called Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections." In response, Zelenskyy accused Trump of operating in a "disinformation space" and claimed that his words were aiding Putin’s global standing.
When asked whether Trump views Putin as a dictator, Waltz avoided a direct answer.
"President Trump is obviously very frustrated right now with President Zelensky — the fact that he hasn’t come to the table, that he hasn’t been willing to take this opportunity that we have offered," Waltz said, adding that he hopes the Ukrainian leader will soon engage in talks.
Waltz further emphasized Trump's commitment to ending the war, stating that his administration had conveyed to Russian officials that stopping the fighting was a priority.
"If there’s anybody in this world that can go toe to toe with Putin, with Xi, with Kim Jong Un, and the rest, it’s Donald J. Trump. He is the deal maker in chief. There is no question that he is the Commander-in-Chief," Waltz added.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy held what he described as a "productive meeting" with US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv on Thursday, expressing appreciation for American support.
"It’s important for us -- and for the entire free world -- that American strength is felt," Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.
Discussions centered on the battlefield situation, efforts to bring Ukrainian prisoners of war home, and securing long-term defense guarantees. However, a planned joint press conference was canceled at the request of the US, Zelenskyy’s office said.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of increasing friction between Washington and Kyiv, following US-led peace discussions with Russia in Saudi Arabia earlier this week that did not include Ukraine.
Waltz defended Trump’s stance on limiting US financial support to Ukraine, stating that American taxpayers should not bear the primary burden of funding Ukraine’s war and European defense.
"We fully support our NATO allies. We fully support the Article Five commitment, but it’s time for our European allies to step up," he said.
"President Trump has made it clear that the minimum needs to be met. Europe needs to take responsibility for its own defense as a partner, and we can be friends and allies while still having these tough conversations," he added.