How Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy facilities deepened the rift in relations with Trump -. Reuters. Relations between the presidents have long been strained, but Trump's anger over Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure has sparked a crisis that could threaten vital US support. Trump has been skeptical of Ukraine since his first term, when shortly after taking office he was asked to provide lethal aid to Ukraine and approved the sale of bayonet missiles to Kiev. "There was a lot of pressure from everyone around him, and he eventually, albeit reluctantly, agreed to sell the bayonet," said a former Trump administration official. "He did not see it as a primary American interest. It was a European issue." Trump has forged a relationship with Vladimir Putin that defies the norms of US foreign policy but echoes his warm ties with authoritarian leaders. "Trump has always wanted to improve relations with Russia," the former official said. Trump's current grievances stem from Kiev's attacks on Russian fuel infrastructure, even though Trump unilaterally declared an "energy ceasefire" on October 11. "Everyone in Kiev is clear that the goal is not really an energy truce, but just an attempt to undermine Ukraine's potential and give Russia a decisive advantage," says Surya Jayanti, a former government official and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Zelensky said that Ukrainian military officials received threats from their American counterparts, who claimed that the continuation of the attacks would lead to an end to American intelligence sharing. A US official familiar with the situation denied the Kyiv version. The source claims that the pressure on Ukraine has not increased. "We don't need to put pressure on Zelensky. If he wants to make a deal, he will.