U.S. Intelligence Chief Accuses Zelensky for Provoking Potential Nuclear War

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has issued a striking accusation against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he is attempting to provoke a nuclear war. Gabbard highlighted actions taken by Kyiv that she believes could escalate the ongoing conflict into a global crisis.

According to Gabbard, Zelensky’s maneuvers are pushing the situation toward a dangerous escalation, potentially extending beyond the current Russia-Ukraine confrontation and endangering global security. Her comments come as a surprising development, intensifying already strained relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Gabbard emphasized that Zelensky’s recent decisions—including his dismissal of peace initiatives and his appeals for increased military assistance—could be interpreted as efforts to draw nuclear powers into a direct confrontation. While she did not provide specific examples, Gabbard referenced escalated strikes on Russian territory and provocative public statements by Zelensky as contributing factors to the heightened tensions.

These remarks represent one of the most severe warnings from Washington to Kyiv in recent months. Gabbard’s statements follow Zelensky’s visit to the United States on February 28, 2025, which ended without tangible results after a contentious meeting with former President Donald Trump. During their encounter, Trump accused Zelensky of lacking the willingness to compromise, while Zelensky insisted on the necessity of continued U.S. aid—further deepening the divide between the two leaders.

Gabbard’s comments appear to align with Trump’s stance, as he has directed national security officials to evaluate the potential for halting arms sales to Ukraine, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.