# Bessent dodges on Ukraine ally status as tensions rise

> Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refused to confirm Ukraine is a U.S. ally while tensions escalate between Trump and Zelenskyy over Starlink, intelligence sharing and sanctions.
- Title: Bessent dodges on Ukraine ally status as tensions rise
- Summary: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent refused to confirm Ukraine is a U.S. ally while tensions escalate between Trump and Zelenskyy over Starlink, intelligence…
- Keywords: scott bessent, volodymyr zelenskyy, ukraine, starlink, intelligence sharing, trump administration, russia, sanctions, politics, news, Bessent, dodges
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/treasury-secretary-bessent-refuses-us-ukraine-ally-starlink-rcna604129
- Author: Alexandra Marquez
- Published: 2026-10-18T15:24:24.712+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: scott bessent, volodymyr zelenskyy, ukraine, starlink, intelligence sharing, trump administration, russia, sanctions, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dodged three times when asked if Ukraine is a U.S. ally, as tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy escalate over Starlink access, intelligence sharing and sanctions policy.