Trump Puts A Leash On Zelenskyy
On March 19, 2025, at around 8:00 AM PDT, President Donald Trump held a critical hour-long phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a conversation that marked a pivotal moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations. According to posts on X from sources like AP and TRT World, Trump stated the call was intended to “align Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs” as he pushes for a ceasefire in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. This follows a tumultuous period after their February 28 Oval Office meeting, which devolved into a shouting match where Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude, leading to a pause in U.S. military aid on March 3. The call, coming just a day after an active shooter incident at CIA headquarters—potentially linked to the release of JFK files—suggests a strategic move by Trump to reassert control over the narrative and Ukraine’s actions, especially after Zelenskyy’s March 4 statement expressing regret and readiness for peace talks under Trump’s leadership.
The U.S. appears to be tightening its grip on Ukraine, using its leverage as a major military and financial backer to force Kyiv into compliance with Trump’s vision for a swift resolution to the conflict. The pause in military aid, which includes critical munitions like anti-tank weapons and artillery rounds, has been a clear signal of this leash—described by a senior Trump official as a temporary measure to pressure Ukraine into “good faith peace negotiations,” as reported by Fox News. This follows Trump’s earlier demands for Ukraine to cede 50% of its rare earth minerals in exchange for continued support, a deal Zelenskyy rejected, and his administration’s exclusion of Kyiv from U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh on February 19, as noted by CNN. By suspending aid and intelligence support, as detailed in The Guardian, Trump is effectively cornering Ukraine, leaving it vulnerable to Russian advances and compelling Zelenskyy to align with U.S.-dictated terms, even at the cost of territorial concessions or weakened sovereignty.
This approach reflects a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, prioritizing deal-making over traditional alliances, as seen in his warming relations with Moscow—evidenced by his 90-minute call with Putin before speaking to Zelenskyy, per CNN. European leaders, like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have rallied behind Ukraine, condemning Trump’s tactics and reaffirming support for Kyiv’s sovereignty, according to NPR. However, Trump’s strategy seems to exploit Ukraine’s dependency, with the U.S. acting as a puppeteer, pulling strings to force a peace deal that may favor Russian interests over Ukraine’s long-term security. The timing of the call, amidst domestic distractions like the CIA attack, suggests an attempt to quietly reassert dominance over Ukraine while public attention is diverted, raising questions about whether this leash is truly about peace or a broader geopolitical realignment.
