Bangladesh, April 6 -- In a revealing interview with journalist Tucker Carlson published on April 4, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky “blew up” a major minerals agreement with the United States due to an ill-advised confrontation with then-US President Donald Trump. Bessents remarks shine a light on the behind-the-scenes tensions that have dogged the US-Ukraine relationship, as well as the internal dysfunction surrounding Zelenskys leadership.

The controversy stems from a public disagreement between Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office in February. According to Bessent, Zelenskys decision to challenge Trump in such a high-profile and combative manner led to the collapse o...