Zelensky Says He Feels Betrayed By the US, Warns Ukraine Is Losing America as Partner

Several US decisions rapidly damaged trust with Kyiv. Washington pushed Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, eased US sanctions on Russian fuel through a diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, and announced an energy truce without confirmed agreement from either side. Trump then said Ukraine needed “a new president.”

The pressure was not only political. Reports said US envoys threatened to cut intelligence sharing over Ukraine’s refinery strikes. Around the same time, SpaceX imposed unannounced speed limits on Starshield terminals used by Ukraine’s military, disrupting drone missions. Zelensky also said Ukraine received no early warning of ballistic missiles for two nights.

These moves followed earlier cooperation, including US promises involving Patriot production licenses. Zelensky said Ukraine was losing America “but not because of us,” arguing that Ukraine could not accept weakness or sell its country. NATO, the EU, and Ukraine’s foreign minister said they had seen no sign that intelligence sharing had stopped.

Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite communications network, providing connectivity through terminals on the ground. Starshield is SpaceX’s military-focused satellite service, with terminals used by Ukraine’s armed forces. These systems matter because they help military units stay connected across a battlefield where ordinary communications can be disrupted.

The article gives a direct example of their role. SpaceX imposed unannounced speed limits on Starshield terminals used by Ukraine’s military. Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said the restrictions disrupted drone missions. The article also reports that Ukraine received no early warning of incoming ballistic missiles for two nights in a row, although it presents intelligence-sharing reports separately from the terminal restrictions.

The current issue is Ukraine’s dependence on technology controlled by a US company. Any change in speed, access, or related support can affect military operations quickly. NATO, the EU, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said they had seen no sign that intelligence sharing had stopped, leaving the broader situation disputed.

Russia’s overnight assault was large and struck Ukraine nationwide. Between Oct. 13 and 14, Russian forces launched 39 missiles and 128 drones. The attack caused widespread disruption, with Zelensky estimating that at least 600,000 people lost power.

The figures show two different forms of pressure. Missiles and drones can damage energy infrastructure and other targets, while the resulting power loss affects civilians and essential services. The attack came after the United States announced an energy truce on Oct. 11, an arrangement that neither Kyiv nor Moscow confirmed.

Ukraine said it had followed the abrupt ceasefire announcement, but Russia continued striking the country. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the truce’s terms were never defined, so Russia could not be accused of breaking it. The attack therefore deepened uncertainty over whether the proposed pause existed in practical terms.

Satellite communications help Ukraine’s military maintain contact and coordinate operations despite the war’s scale. If access or performance is restricted, units may struggle to exchange information quickly. The article directly connects Starshield limits with disrupted drone missions, showing an immediate operational effect.

Early warnings serve a different but related purpose. The article reports that Ukraine received no warning of incoming ballistic missiles for two nights in a row. Without such information, Ukrainian authorities and defenses may have less time to react. The source does not state exactly what caused the missing warnings, but links them to reports of threatened intelligence cuts over refinery strikes.

The broader risk is dependence on systems controlled outside Ukraine. A change by SpaceX or a dispute over US intelligence could affect military activity without a battlefield defeat. NATO, the EU, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said they had seen no evidence that intelligence sharing stopped, so the extent of the restriction remained disputed.

Russian oil refineries and the energy truce became bargaining points because they concern attacks on energy infrastructure. Washington wanted Ukraine not to strike Russian refineries. Zelensky opposed that position, saying it was unfair, while the United States pushed for a broader pause in energy-related attacks.

The proposed truce was announced by Trump on Oct. 11. He said the sides agreed because he told them to agree, but neither Kyiv nor Moscow confirmed it. Ukraine said it followed the abrupt announcement. Overnight, Russia launched 39 missiles and 128 drones, leaving at least 600,000 people without power, according to Zelensky.

Russia disputed the meaning of the pause. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said its terms were never defined, so Russia could not be accused of breaking it. The episode showed how unclear terms can undermine negotiations, while the refinery dispute increased tension between Zelensky and Trump over wartime priorities.

The United States influences Ukraine’s ability to fight in several connected ways. It can provide or authorize weapons, share intelligence, alter sanctions on Russia, and affect access to military technology. The article describes US pressure as both material and political, because decisions about support were tied to demands over Ukraine’s actions.

One example involves Patriot air defense systems. Trump first said the US would grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriots domestically, then later walked back that pledge before announcing another final decision. The article also reports threatened intelligence cuts over refinery strikes and speed limits on Starshield terminals that disrupted drone missions. Washington additionally eased sanctions on Russian fuel.

The effects are contested. Ukraine reported missing ballistic-missile warnings, but NATO, the EU, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said they saw no sign that intelligence sharing had stopped. The episode shows that US decisions can strengthen Ukraine, constrain its choices, or create uncertainty about future support.

A strategic partnership in wartime is a sustained relationship in which countries cooperate on security and national survival. It can include weapons, intelligence, technology, diplomacy, and economic pressure. Zelensky described the United States as a strategic partner, while also warning that Ukraine was losing a strong partner.

The article shows why dependence creates leverage. Ukraine relies on US-linked support involving Patriot production, intelligence, and satellite technology. Washington pressed Kyiv not to attack Russian oil refineries. Reports also said US envoys threatened to cut intelligence sharing, while SpaceX restricted Starshield terminals used by Ukraine’s military. These decisions could affect operations without the United States directly fighting.

Such dependence makes partnership valuable but vulnerable. A partner can help defend a country, yet also influence its military choices by controlling access to critical capabilities. In this case, the relationship became uncertain after Trump criticized Zelensky, eased sanctions on Russian fuel, and announced an unconfirmed energy truce.