The secrets from Miami revealed: What led to the rift between Trump and Zelensky?

A report in the Wall Street Journal reveals the behind-the-scenes pressure system that led to the crisis between the Trump administration and Ukraine: starting with a secret American demand to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries, through a meeting in Miami with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff where the diesel deal was exposed, and up to the Trump-Putin call that reshuffled the deck. The escalation also included restricting Ukrainian access to Starlink.

A report in the Wall Street Journal reveals the turbulent diplomatic pressure system that led to the severe crisis between the Trump administration and Ukraine. The roots of the crisis began in September, following Zelensky's visit to the US, when he was heavily pressured by the Trump administration to stop Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure. The US administration feared that rising prices due to damage to the Russian economy would harm consumers in the US. Ukraine continued to damage about half of Russia's refining capacity, increasing Trump's displeasure. The boiling point occurred in early October, when senior Ukrainian and European officials flew to Miami for an urgent meeting with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. During the meeting, the two updated them on Trump's intention to promote a diesel deal with Russia, following a ninety-minute phone call with Putin. The deterioration was immediately reflected when Ukraine's military Starlink terminals were restricted, a step perceived in Kyiv as punishment or pressure from the Trump administration via SpaceX. Elon Musk clarified that the systems are under the control of the Pentagon and the White House.