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Donald Trump said he finds Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky harder to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin and said he is “not a big fan” of Zelensky. Trump also criticized Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries and called for elections in Ukraine, where martial law has prevented them during the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Newsmax interview that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is harder to negotiate with than Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that he is “not a big fan” of Zelensky. Trump’s comments renew pressure on Ukraine over negotiations, its attacks on Russian oil facilities and the absence of elections during martial law.
Trump said he regards Zelensky as “more difficult to deal with than Putin” and accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting to reach a settlement, despite publicly saying he does, echoing his criticism of Zelensky. Those are Trump’s assessments; the interview material does not provide evidence establishing Zelensky’s private position on negotiations. Trump also said he believes both leaders would like the war to end, while describing their mutual hostility as an obstacle, amid his claims of an energy ceasefire.
Trump again criticized Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, calling them “a disgrace” and arguing that they contribute to higher global fuel prices. He said there were other possible targets. The report does not independently establish the effect of the strikes on fuel prices, and Trump’s comments did not specify which alternative targets he had in mind.
He also questioned whether Zelensky retains public support and said Ukraine needs an election. Ukraine has not held elections during the war because martial law is in force. Trump referred to missiles hitting apartment buildings as a reason Ukrainians might be dissatisfied, but offered no polling or other evidence in the interview to support his view of public opinion.
Pressure on Kyiv’s War Strategy
The remarks matter because they signal the U.S. president’s public stance toward Ukraine as the war and diplomatic efforts continue. Trump’s comparison of Zelensky with Putin, coupled with his criticism of Ukrainian strikes and call for elections, could shape debate over U.S. support, negotiations and the terms of any settlement. The comments alone do not establish a change in U.S. policy or a new negotiating position.
His criticism of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure also comes amid conflicting accounts of a proposed pause in strikes. That dispute affects how the parties describe compliance and whether a limited energy truce can be sustained. Trump’s statements about fuel prices and Ukrainian public opinion remain his claims; the report does not independently verify either.
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Recent Dispute Over Energy Strikes
The comments follow a series of developments reported earlier in October. On October 9, Trump agreed with Putin on supplies of Russian diesel fuel to U.S. and global markets, a move criticized by Ukraine and European countries, according to Meduza. On October 11, Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a truce in the energy sector.
Zelensky said the truce announcement “came as news” to him. On October 15, he said Ukraine had refrained from striking Russian oil refineries for three days but would resume attacks because Russia had not observed the truce. Russian authorities say Ukraine never stopped its strikes, leaving the parties’ accounts of compliance in conflict. The October 16 interview placed Trump’s criticism against that unresolved disagreement.
“The announcement “came as news” to him.”
— Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to Trump’s October 11 announcement of an energy truce
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Disputed Truce and Election Questions
The interview report does not include a transcript or additional details about the questions put to Trump, and it does not clarify whether his comments reflect a policy decision or a personal assessment. It is also unclear what specific settlement terms he believes are possible, or what steps the U.S. administration may take to advance negotiations.
The status of the energy-sector truce remains disputed: Zelensky described Ukraine’s pause and its reason for ending, while Russian authorities have said Ukraine did not stop striking refineries. The report provides no independent verification of the competing claims. Trump’s assertion about Ukrainian public support is also unsubstantiated in the interview, and no election timetable was given.
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Next Steps on Talks and Strikes
The next developments to watch are whether Washington or Kyiv clarifies the implications of Trump’s remarks, and whether the U.S. administration proposes specific steps toward negotiations. The report does not announce a meeting, a new agreement or a change in military assistance.
Further statements from Ukraine and Russia may clarify whether either side considers an energy pause in effect and what actions would count as compliance. Ukraine’s election status is tied to martial law, and the interview did not identify any planned vote or change in that legal situation.
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Key Questions
What did Trump say about Zelensky?
Trump said he finds Zelensky more difficult to deal with than Putin and said he is “not a big fan” of the Ukrainian president.
Did Trump announce a change in U.S. policy toward Ukraine?
No policy change was announced in the reported interview. The remarks were Trump’s criticism and assessment of Zelensky, Ukraine’s refinery strikes and wartime elections.
Why has Ukraine not held an election?
Ukraine has not held elections during the war because martial law is in force. Trump called for an election but did not give a proposed date or explain how one could be held under current conditions.
Is an energy-sector truce in effect?
The accounts are disputed. Trump announced an agreement on October 11; Zelensky said the announcement was news to him and later said Ukraine would resume refinery strikes after a three-day pause. Russian authorities said Ukraine had not stopped its strikes.
Source: rss
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