Donald Trump’s envoy claims Ukrainians ‘brought it on themselves’ after US cuts aid

Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine claimed the country “brought it on themselves” after the US made the jaw-dropping decision to suspend aid.

Retired Lt General Keith Kellogg said Ukraine had been given “fair warning” by the White House before Mr Trump this week suspended military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv. The Republican administration announced the pauses this week after Mr Trump and President Volodymyr Zelesky’s Oval Office meeting devolved into a shouting match, with the US president and vice president JD Vance hitting out at the Ukrainian leader for apparently not being grateful enough for aid given by the US.

Mr Kellogg said at an Council on Foreign Relations event today: “The best way I can describe it is sort of like hitting a mule with a two-by-four across the nose. You get their attention.”

Donald Trump wants to secure a minerals deal with Ukraine (

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Getty Images)

Mr Kellogg said the pause in aid was already having an impact on Kyiv, adding that the Ukrainians “brought it on themselves”.

He said it was made clear to the Ukrainians before last week’s meeting at the White House that talks would focus on signing the minerals deal. The deal is seen of having value to US aerospace, electric vehicle and medical manufacturing.

The Trump administration said the deal would bind the US and Ukraine closer together and would give Vladimir Putin pause before considering malign action against Ukraine in the future. Mr Kellogg said the talks broke down due to Mr Zelensky pressing the US President – who he said was trying to play the role of intermediary to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia.

Mr Zelensky called the heated words “regrettable” and said he was ready to sign an agreement. He told European leaders gathered in Brussels today he was grateful for their support, and said the teams for the US and Ukraine had resumed their work and hoped to have “a meaningful meeting” next week.

Mr Kellogg said it was for the president to decide whether military aid would be sent to Ukraine (

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NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war, and we have always said that the only reason why the war continues is because of Russia,” Mr Zelensky said in a speech. But Mr Kellogg said he could not guarantee a resumption of weapons deliveries even should Mr Zelensky accept the deal.

“That’s up to the President,” Mr Kellogg said. “You don’t negotiate peace discussions in public. You don’t try to challenge the president of the United States in the Oval Office.”

Mr Trump said in a speech before Congress on Tuesday that Mr Zelensky had written to him to say he appreciates US support for his country in its war with Russia. The US President has tried to broker a peace that observers have accused of being heavily in favour of the Kremlin.