Trump Zelenskyy Clash: What impact will it have on Russia-Ukraine war? Will Putin benefit?

The confrontation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House has further worsened the already tense relations between the US and Ukraine. Donald Trump had promised to end the war soon after taking office as President in January this year.

The US President and his Ukrainian counterpart clashed in the Oval Office, after which Volodymyr Zelenskyy left the White House without signing the promised mineral deal with the US. The Ukrainian leader also left the future of talks to end Russia's war against his country in doubt.

Not mincing words, Donald Trump said Zelenskyy could “come back when he is ready for peace”. But what will this confrontation between the two leaders change for US-Ukraine relations and what will it mean for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow?

Agreement on Ukraine’s minerals in jeopardy

One thing that was supposed to happen after the meeting was that Donald Trump and Zelenskyy were supposed to sign an agreement to share Ukraine’s minerals. But the ceremony was cancelled and it is unclear whether the agreement will go ahead now. The confrontation between the two leaders at the White House is going to have a major impact.

Will US stop military aid to Ukraine?

The US is still providing military aid to Ukraine due to a large package approved last year, but it is likely to end soon. Earlier too, Donald Trump had said that he is not at all interested in providing additional aid to Ukraine.

The dispute between the two could therefore harden Donald Trump's stance on Ukraine aid as the US President told Zelenskyy, "You're either going to make a deal, or we're out and if we're out, you're going to fight. I don't think it's going to be good."

Will Putin benefit?

Donald Trump has not placed responsibility on Moscow and Vladimir for starting the Ukraine war and he has remained firm on this stand. In line with earlier comments, at the Zelensky meeting, Donald Trump indicated that he was not criticising Vladimir Putin because negotiations were ongoing with Russia to end the war.