Trump-Zelensky feud risks aiding Russia, NYT warns

The New York Times reports that the verbal conflict between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is nearing a breaking point, with analysts warning that its continuation would benefit Russia and harm the Trump administration, Ukraine, and European allies. The relationship has deteriorated ahead of the US midterm elections, which are seen as a referendum on Trump's presidency. A worst-case scenario for Ukraine would be a suspension of US military aid, which remains crucial for its armed forces, though Ukraine has expanded its own defense production to mitigate the impact. The article notes that the coming weeks will be telling for the relationship's trajectory. Analysts describe the situation as a "lose-lose" scenario, with some calling any potential halt in support a "geopolitical betrayal," while Ukraine's military faces ongoing Russian attacks and relies on US-supplied interceptors like Patriot missiles.