KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — As Ukraine approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s extensive invasion, the mood among Ukrainians remains heavy and anxious, reminiscent of the days leading up to the conflict. However, their concerns now extend beyond their historical adversary.

The latest unsettling development stems from their former ally, the United States, where support appears to be waning. President Donald Trump has echoed the narratives of Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a push for an end to hostilities between Ukraine and Russia.

Following Trump’s recent claims labeling Ukraine’s president as a “dictator” who instigated the conflict, the Ukrainian populace has united around President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy has publicly rebuked Trump for spreading Russian propaganda.

“He may not be a flawless leader, but he’s certainly not a dictator,” stated Kateryna Karaush, a 25-year-old tech professional from Kyiv. Many Ukrainians, along with some Republicans in Congress, are struggling to understand Trump’s alignment with Russia, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Karaush expressed her sentiments, saying, “It feels as if the entire world is against us.”

Despite overwhelming odds, Ukrainians have managed to prevent Russia from seizing their nation, although approximately a fifth remains under Russian control, thanks in large part to considerable military backing from the U.S. Nevertheless, after three grueling years of conflict, both civilians and soldiers are weary; countless lives have been lost or wounded, tens of thousands are missing, and millions have sought refuge elsewhere.

The atmosphere has darkened further as Trump expressed intentions to quickly resolve the conflict with terms that many, including Zelenskyy and Western leaders, argue are excessively lenient toward Russia.

After calling Zelenskyy a “dictator” due to his legal decision to postpone elections last year, and amidst reports of meetings between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia contemplating a ceasefire without Ukrainian involvement, even some of Zelenskyy’s most vocal critics at home have begun to show their support.

“We might hold differing views on Zelenskyy, but only the citizens of Ukraine have the authority to judge his leadership,” remarked Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a lawmaker from the opposition party Holos. “He remains our elected leader, and so we have the right to critique him.”

Trump’s critical remarks about Zelenskyy have drawn backlash from Democrats and some Republicans within the U.S. Congress, where there has historically been bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine against Russian advances. However, Vice President JD Vance chastised Zelenskyy for cautioning Trump against falling prey to Russian disinformation.

The rising tensions led to the cancellation of a press conference initially set to follow discussions between Zelenskyy and Trump’s envoy regarding strategies to end the war.

A recent poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology revealed that public trust in Zelenskyy stands at 57%. The survey encompassed 1,000 individuals from areas under Ukrainian government control, conducted between February 4 and February 9.

“We support our president. In times of war, we stand united,” expressed Larysa, a 52-year-old resident of Kharkiv who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons.

The political friction with the U.S. surfaces as Ukrainian forces, facing significant challenges in numbers and firepower, strive to fend off Russia’s steady encroachment.

Speaking from the front lines, some Ukrainian soldiers indicated they remain steadfast and unwilling to abandon the fight. “Even if our weapons supply wanes or funding diminishes, our obligation to fight remains unchanged,” asserted a Ukrainian officer, who preferred anonymity due to military regulations. “No ammunition? We will resort to rifles. No rifles? We’ll utilize shovels.”

This week, Trump reiterated a viewpoint often expressed by Putin, emphasizing the necessity for Zelenskyy to hold elections. However, this perspective has met little support in Ukraine, even among opposition figures who acknowledge Zelenskyy’s right to delay elections amidst ongoing conflict.

“Elections are unnecessary at the moment and should only occur once we establish the parameters of a peace agreement with Russia,” explained Volodymyr Ariev, a lawmaker from the opposition European Solidarity party. “Initiating elections now would serve only to benefit the Kremlin, exacerbating divisions among Ukrainians and potentially resulting in a leader who might sign a deal advantageous to Moscow.”

An advisor to Zelenskyy, Mykhailo Podolyak, added another reason to postpone elections until peace is restored: the risk of Russian interference in a process already fraught with complications.

Millions of Ukrainians living abroad would face significant challenges in participating in elections, not to mention the hundreds of thousands in Russian-occupied areas, where voting would be virtually impossible.

Currently, around 800,000 Ukrainians are enlisted in the armed forces, complicating their ability to cast ballots without undermining military efforts. Those engaged in combat would also be barred from running for office, as per Ukrainian law.

“Conducting elections before securing a peace agreement with safety assurances would be catastrophic for Ukraine,” cautioned Valerii Pekar, a professor at the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School. “The U.S. and Russia seem unified in promoting ‘elections first, then peace’ — the quickest and most economical route to destabilizing Ukraine.”

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Associated Press journalist Volodymyr Yurchuk contributed from Kyiv, Ukraine.