Bessent avoids answering on ally status

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dodged three times when asked on NBC News' Meet the Press whether Ukraine is a U.S. ally, citing his role and listing support provided.

“I'm not the secretary of state. I'm not the president.”

Three forms of U.S. support listed

Bessent said the U.S. provides intelligence, Starlink support and allows NATO to purchase American weapons to resell to Ukraine, describing these as what you do for an ally.

Bessent criticizes European NATO members

The treasury secretary accused European NATO members of falling short on Ukraine support, questioning why they have not provided Patriot missile systems when they possess them.

“When President Zelenskyy asked for Patriots, NATO, the European members of NATO, they have plenty of Patriots. Why aren't they forthcoming with the Patriots?”

Zelenskyy warns against siding with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Meet the Press it would be a historic mistake for the U.S. to side with Russia in the ongoing war, expressing hope Trump will change his decisions.

“We want to trust him.”

Zelenskyy accuses U.S. of withholding intelligence

Zelenskyy said intelligence sharing from the U.S. was blocked for a period and accused Elon Musk of limiting Starlink access, claiming speed limitations interfere with Ukrainian drone defense.

Trump denies intelligence cutoff, Starlink resumes

President Donald Trump denied the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. Starlink services later resumed at normal speed after the public dispute over access.

Bessent calls Zelenskyy's accusations reckless

Bessent criticized Zelenskyy for publicly accusing the U.S. and Musk of limiting resources, saying Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio categorically denied the administration did so.

“I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge.”

Trump pauses Russia sanctions, lifts diesel embargo

Trump announced a sixty day pause on certain Russia sanctions approved by Congress to examine the situation. Bessent clarified only the diesel embargo has been lifted, not broader sanctions.

Bessent rejects Zelenskyy's war outcome framing

Bessent accused Zelenskyy of presenting a false choice, saying Trump wants the war to end through negotiated settlement, not Ukrainian victory, and is working on that daily.

“The war must end, and that will be with some kind of a negotiated settlement.”