Treasury secretary refuses to say if the U.S. sees Ukraine as an ally

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dodged questions about whether the US views Ukraine as an ally on Sunday, amid escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The exchange occurred during a press conference where Bessent was asked about the US response to Ukraine's Starlink satellite internet service.

Bessent's responses were notable for their vagueness, as he repeatedly sidestepped the question of whether Ukraine is considered an ally of the United States. When asked directly if Ukraine is an ally, Bessent replied that he couldn't answer the question.

He also stated that the US is "very supportive" of Ukraine, but stopped short of confirming the country's ally status. The exchange comes as tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have escalated in recent weeks.

Trump has been critical of Zelenskyy's handling of the conflict in Ukraine, and has even suggested that the US should not be providing military aid to the country. Zelenskyy has pushed back against Trump's comments, stating that Ukraine is committed to defending itself against Russian aggression.

Bessent's comments on Ukraine's ally status have been seen as a sign of the Trump administration's ambivalence on the issue. The US has provided significant military aid to Ukraine in recent years, and has also been critical of Russia's actions in the country.

However, the Trump administration's stance on Ukraine has been inconsistent, with some officials expressing support for the country while others have been more critical. The exchange also highlights the challenges of navigating the complex relationship between the US and Ukraine.

The two countries have a long history of cooperation, but their relationship has been strained in recent years due to the conflict in Ukraine. The US has provided significant economic and military aid to Ukraine, but has also faced criticism for its handling of the crisis.