Skip to content

WorldDeveloping

Zelenskyy and Trump trade public criticism over the Ukraine war and US policy toward Russia

By

Coverage spectrum

Covered by 13 outlets across the spectrum.

26 articles in total. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

Bearded man in dark clothing looking downward among people in an indoor setting.
Image via The HillHow images are chosenReport this image

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump have traded public criticism over the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy has said a US move to side with Russia’s Vladimir Putin would be a historic mistake, and he has accused Trump of pressuring Kyiv to surrender to Russia. Trump has said Zelenskyy should have settled the war long ago and that it is time for someone else to negotiate for Ukraine. Ukraine says the US has cut back on sharing military intelligence, which Washington denies. According to AP reporting, Trump has also rejected new sanctions against Russia.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Zelenskyy has said that a US move to side with Putin would be a historic mistake.

    Reported byFar Left1Left1Center1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    HuffPost
    Left
    NBC News
    Center
    The Hill

  2. Zelenskyy has accused Trump of pressuring Ukraine to surrender to Russia.

    One side only: the leftReported byLeft2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    The New York Times, Bloomberg

  3. Trump has said Zelenskyy should have settled the war long ago and that it is time for someone else to negotiate for Ukraine.

    One side only: the rightReported byRight1Far Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Right
    New York Post
    Far Right
    Townhall

  4. Trump has called for Ukraine to get a new president, and Ukraine says the US has cut back on sharing military intelligence, which Washington denies.

    Reported byCenter1Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Center
    Semafor
    Right
    Washington Examiner

  5. Trump has rejected or waived new sanctions against Russia.

    Reported byLeft1Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    ABC News
    Right
    The Washington Times, Washington Examiner

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • The US has cut back on sharing military intelligence with Ukraine.

    Ukraine says so and Washington denies it, according to Semafor. The Washington Examiner reports Ukraine has not always received US intelligence needed to stop attacks.

  • Trump is pushing Ukraine to surrender to Russia.

    Zelenskyy and left-side outlets, including Bloomberg and The New York Times, say so. Right-side outlets report Trump pressing Zelenskyy to concede and end the war, and Trump is quoted saying Zelenskyy should have settled it long ago.

How each side tells it

Compare views

All sides report a public clash between Zelenskyy and Trump over the war and US intelligence sharing. Left headlines stress Zelenskyy’s charge of surrender, center headlines his risky campaign, and right headlines Trump’s demands that he settle or step aside.

  • the left

    7 outlets

    Left headlines center Zelenskyy’s accusation that Trump is pushing Ukraine to surrender or yield to Russia, and HuffPost stresses his warning of a historic mistake.

    Trump Is Pushing Ukraine to Surrender to Russia, Zelensky Says
    The New York TimesLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    2 outlets

    Center headlines describe Zelenskyy’s public campaign as a risky bet and the rift as deepening, mostly building on his own words.

    Zelensky rolls the dice on Loaded modifier“combative”Describes Zelensky’s approach with a label that judges his tone.More neutral: publicDisagree with this highlight? Trump pressure campaign
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    4 outlets

    Right headlines foreground Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy and his demands that the war be settled, with Far Right Townhall quoting Trump directly.

    Trump Loaded verb“rips”Rips adds a hostile tone beyond the reported remarks, which the article describes as a call for a new negotiator.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? Zelensky, refers to Sensational language“infamous Oval Office blowup”Calling the February 2025 meeting an infamous blowup is the outlet’s own judgement of that meeting.More neutral: February 2025 Oval Office meetingDisagree with this highlight? in call to end Ukraine war: ‘Time for someone else to negotiate’
    New York PostRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left11

    ripslashed outalso rejected TrumpReels From Violence

  • Center2

    lashed outcombative

  • Right6

    ripsblistering takedownditchinfamous

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    ripsMore neutral: criticizes

    Rips adds a hostile tone beyond the reported remarks, which the article describes as a call for a new negotiator.

    Trump rips Zelensky, refers to infamous Oval Office blowup in call to end Ukraine war: ‘Time for…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)HuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    lashed outMore neutral: criticized

    Describes a verbal attack with a judgement about its force.

    Donald Trump has lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting he was responsible for his…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)The Hill (Center)

  • Loaded verb

    also rejected TrumpMore neutral: also responded to Trump

    Rejected frames Zelenskyy’s response as a confrontation rather than a reply to Trump’s comparison.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also rejected Trump for comparing him to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    Reels From ViolenceMore neutral: France Has Seen Violence

    The dramatic verb overstates an item that has nothing to do with the Ukraine story and adds drama to the headline.

    Zelenskyy Says Trump Pushing Ukraine to Surrender, France Reels From Violence

    Used byBloomberg (Left)

Show 13 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded verb

    slammingMore neutral: criticizing

    The word describes sharp condemnation, while the outlet’s own voice could report criticism without adding drama.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is slamming President Trump's latest moves that appear to benefit Russian President Vladimir…

    Used byCBS News (Left)

  • Absolutist framing

    moves to help PutinMore neutral: moves that appear to benefit Putin

    The headline states the purpose of the US moves as fact, while the description says the moves appear to benefit Putin.

    moves to help Putin

    Used byCBS News (Left)

  • Sensational language

    blistering takedownMore neutral: criticism

    Describing the remarks as a blistering takedown is the outlet’s own judgement of their tone.

    …time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” Trump said in a blistering takedown of Zelensky.

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    ditchMore neutral: replace

    Ditch is a casual verb that frames a change in diplomatic negotiators as discarding a leader.

    President Trump said it’s time for Ukraine to ditch President Zelensky and get itself a new negotiator if it wants to end the war with…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    infamousMore neutral: known for (describe)

    Judgement of reputation as fact.

    The president then referred to his infamous February 2025 Oval Office meeting with the Ukrainian leader, where he warned Zelensky…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    infamous Oval Office blowupMore neutral: February 2025 Oval Office meeting

    Calling the February 2025 meeting an infamous blowup is the outlet’s own judgement of that meeting.

    Trump rips Zelensky, refers to infamous Oval Office blowup in call to end Ukraine war: ‘Time for someone else to negotiate’

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    eyebrow-raising tiradeMore neutral: remarks

    Adds an evaluation and a dramatic label to the remarks.

    In an eyebrow-raising tirade at the White House on Monday, the U.S.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    extraordinary broadsideMore neutral: public criticism

    Adds a dramatic label to the remarks rather than describing them.

    The extraordinary broadside came after Zelensky warned that Trump was on the wrong side of history by…

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Sells OutMore neutral: changes Ukraine policy

    Presents Trump’s policy shift as a betrayal of Ukraine, a conclusion the reports do not establish.

    Trump Sells Out Ukraine in Unhinged White House Meltdown

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    UnhingedMore neutral: forceful

    Labels Trump’s remarks as deranged rather than describing what he said.

    Trump Sells Out Ukraine in Unhinged White House Meltdown

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    MeltdownMore neutral: remarks

    Characterizes Trump’s state rather than describing his remarks.

    Trump Sells Out Ukraine in Unhinged White House Meltdown

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    combativeMore neutral: public

    Describes Zelensky’s approach with a label that judges his tone.

    Zelensky rolls the dice on combative Trump pressure campaign

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Loaded verb

    slightsMore neutral: criticizes

    Characterizes Trump’s stance toward Zelenskyy as disrespect, a judgement the report does not establish.

    ties with Ukraine hit new low as Trump slights Zelenskyy and eases up on Russia

    Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

Words quoted from someone else (1)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Loaded verb

    Quoted

    capitulateMore neutral: accept Russian demands

    Presents Zelenskyy’s accusation with a word that asserts Ukraine would surrender, which the report does not show.

    …accused President Trump of not supporting Ukraine, but rather, pressuring them to capitulate to Russia.

    Quoted byCBS News (Left)

    These are Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

7 outlets

Leads with

  • Zelenskyy’s surrender accusation
  • warnings about backing Putin
  • Trump’s pressure on Kyiv

Leaves out

  • Trump’s remark that it is time for someone else to negotiate for Ukraine

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 7 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

2 outlets

Leads with

  • Zelenskyy’s risky strategy
  • the deepening rift with Trump
  • Zelenskyy’s trust in the US

Leaves out

  • Trump’s rejection of new Russia sanctions

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 2 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

4 outlets

Leads with

  • Trump’s criticism of Zelenskyy
  • Trump’s call for a new negotiator
  • Russia sanctions decision

Leaves out

  • Zelenskyy’s warning that a US tilt toward Putin would be a historic mistake

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 4 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    ‘Changes the balance of leverage’: Zelensky tries to hold on as Trump pressures him to concede

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing an increasingly untenable situation: the leader of his country’s most-needed ally believes he’s responsible for continuing a war he didn’t start, doesn’t like the way his country is trying to defend itself, and has called for him …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Washington Examiner
  • The Washington TimesRightAssociated Press report

    U.S. ties with Ukraine hit new low as Trump Loaded verb“slights”Characterizes Trump’s stance toward Zelenskyy as disrespect, a judgement the report does not establish.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? Zelenskyy and eases up on Russia

    The U.S.-Ukraine alliance is careening toward a possible breaking point, with Moscow strengthened by President Donald Trump's recent rejection of new Russia sanctions and Kyiv undermined by disruptions in satellite support for its drones during the war.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)

    Also published by ABC News. It counts once.

  • New York PostRight

    Trump Loaded verb“rips”Rips adds a hostile tone beyond the reported remarks, which the article describes as a call for a new negotiator.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? Zelensky, refers to Sensational language“infamous Oval Office blowup”Calling the February 2025 meeting an infamous blowup is the outlet’s own judgement of that meeting.More neutral: February 2025 Oval Office meetingDisagree with this highlight? in call to end Ukraine war: ‘Time for someone else to negotiate’

    "I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine,” Trump said in a Sensational language“blistering takedown”Describing the remarks as a blistering takedown is the outlet’s own judgement of their tone.More neutral: criticismDisagree with this highlight? of Zelensky.

    Read at New York Post (opens in a new tab)
  • TownhallFar Right

    Zelensky Should Have 'Settled' War 'a Long Time Ago,' Trump Says

    President Donald Trump said that Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky “should've had this war settled a long time ago” on Monday, as tensions rise between him and the Eastern European leader.

    Read at Townhall (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    NBC News, Oct 18, 8:21 AM EDT

  • Center

    3 hr 29 min later

    Its first report, Oct 18, 11:50 AM EDT

  • Right

    1 day 7 hr later

    Its first report, Oct 19, 3:57 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. NBC NewsLeftOct 18, 8:21 AM EDT
  2. The HillCenterOct 18, 11:50 AM EDT
  3. BloombergLeftOct 18, 2:21 PM EDT
  4. HuffPostFar LeftOct 18, 7:03 PM EDT
  5. The New York TimesLeftOct 19, 8:25 AM EDT
  6. CBS NewsLeftOct 19, 9:13 AM EDT
  7. TownhallFar RightOct 19, 3:57 PM EDT
  8. New York PostRightOct 19, 4:00 PM EDT
  9. Washington ExaminerRightOct 19, 4:48 PM EDT
  10. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 19, 5:16 PM EDT
  11. The Washington TimesRightOct 19, 7:05 PM EDT
  12. ABC NewsLeftOct 20, 2:24 AM EDT
  13. SemaforCenterOct 20, 7:51 AM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

Read next

Help someone else find the truth beneath the surface

Most people see one side of a story. Share this one, so they can see how every side is telling it and decide for themselves.

Email it

Seen a mistake? Tell us what is wrong with this page