Washington — Treasury Secretary Won't Call Ukraine a U.S. Ally

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined three separate times on Sunday to say whether the United States considers Ukraine an ally, a notable hedge as tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalate, according to NBC News.

What did Bessent say when asked if Ukraine is a U.S. ally?

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," Bessent was asked directly whether Ukraine is an American ally. Rather than answer yes or no, he pointed to material support instead. "We provide the three different things ... to Ukraine, so that's what you do for an ally. We're not providing those to Russia," Bessent said the second time moderator Kristen Welker pressed him, per NBC News. Asked a third time, he deflected entirely: "I'm not the secretary of state. I'm not the president."

What did Bessent say about Starlink and Zelenskyy's claims?

Bessent denied that the U.S. government had any role in slowing Starlink service used by Ukrainian forces, and said it was "reckless" for Zelenskyy to suggest otherwise, according to NBC News.

"We're not the secretary of state. I'm not the president." — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, on whether the U.S. views Ukraine as an ally

What did Zelenskyy say on the same program?

Zelenskyy, who appeared on "Meet the Press" shortly before Bessent, told Welker it would be a "historic mistake" for the United States to side with Russia in the war. The Ukrainian leader, describing a relationship with Trump that has swung between tense and cordial, said "we want to trust him" and that "I hope that he will change his decisions," NBC News reported.

What support has the U.S. provided Ukraine, according to Bessent?

Bessent listed three forms of U.S. assistance to Ukraine: intelligence sharing, Starlink support, and allowing NATO members to purchase U.S. weapons for resale to Kyiv. He then turned the question back on European allies, asking why NATO's European members have not supplied Patriot missile systems Zelenskyy has requested. "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?" Bessent said, according to NBC News.

By the numbers

• 3 — times Bessent was asked whether Ukraine is a U.S. ally before the segment ended
• 3 — categories of support Bessent says the U.S. provides Ukraine: intelligence, Starlink, and NATO arms resale

What happens next?

• Watch for a formal State Department or White House statement clarifying whether Washington classifies Ukraine as an ally, a label Bessent would not confirm.
• Watch Zelenskyy's public messaging toward Trump in coming days, given his stated hope that "he will change his decisions."
• Watch whether European NATO members respond to Bessent's challenge over withheld Patriot missile systems.
• Watch for any U.S. government response to Zelenskyy's Starlink-speed allegation, which Bessent called "reckless."

The exchange, aired Oct. 18, 2026, comes as the war in Ukraine continues and as Trump's posture toward Kyiv remains a subject of public scrutiny, per NBC News.