Ukrainians Say They Feel Betrayed by Trump and U.S.

Nataliia Klymyuk, who has been volunteering for 11 years to look after a memorial to war dead in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, said she had never had any illusions about President Trump.On Wednesday, she stood among a crowd of people at the memorial, on Independence Square in central Kyiv, where tens of thousands of little flags fluttered, each representing a soldier killed during Russia’s relentless invasion.The mood was especially somber.A day earlier, Mr.

Trump, from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, had blamed Ukraine for the violence.“You should have never started it,” he said, referring to Ukrainian leaders who did not, in fact, start the war.His comment stunned many Ukrainians, who saw it as a blatant betrayal.“I don’t believe in negotiations,” said Ms.

Klymyuk, 51, who plants new flags at the site daily and clears away snow.Referring to President Vladimir V.

Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, she added: “Trump has always been a friend to Putin, and I don’t believe that he suddenly became our friend.He is only pursuing his own interests behind Zelensky’s back.”Marina Ivashyna, 30, who was passing through the square, said that her father had died in the war and that her husband was missing in action.

“It is tough for me — I don’t believe anything good will happen,” she said, bursting into tears.“I don’t believe in these negotiations.”Ms.

Klymyuk’s and Ms.Ivashyna’s refrain represents a growing sentiment in Ukraine as the United States and Russia have moved toward a head-spinning reset of their relationship that could disadvantage Ukraine in the war.

Ukrainians are becoming disillusioned with the Trump administration, many analysts say.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Time...