US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Newsmax that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “more difficult to deal with” than Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. He also repeated the claim that Zelenskyy allegedly does not want to reach an agreement to end the war and said that Ukraine needs elections.
Trump was responding to reports that Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian oil refineries following Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Zelenskyy is not someone we are good at dealing with. Biden gave him hundreds of billions of dollars, equipment worth billions and billions of dollars.”
Donald Trump, US President
Statements on strikes against Russian oil refineries
The US president called Ukraine’s intention to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries “a disgrace.” According to him, such attacks could allegedly affect fuel prices.
“There are many other targets […]. But when you hit plants that produce diesel fuel, we need it and the whole world needs it, he is not doing the world a favor.”
Donald Trump, US President
Following Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would resume attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Trump again raises the issue of elections in Ukraine
Trump also once again criticized Zelenskyy over his lengthy time in office. According to him, Ukraine needs elections, since “nobody says that people are happy that missiles are hitting their apartment buildings.”
“Frankly, Zelenskyy has been there for a long time. And I think it is time for… If they want to settle this. […] I think eventually they will reach some kind of settlement. They will not do it with him. He does not want to make a deal. He says he does, but he really does not. I am not a big fan of Zelenskyy.”
Donald Trump, US President
At the same time, the US president did not directly answer whether he believes the Russian-Ukrainian war will end during his term in office.
“I think, actually, they would both like it to end, but in my view, Zelenskyy is more difficult to deal with than Putin.”
Donald Trump, US President
Trump called Russia a large country that “can lose a million men, and it will still have millions more after them.” He added that Ukraine does not have such manpower, but has received from the United States “the best weapons in the world.”
“Ukraine does not have that kind of manpower. But they received the best weapons in the world, provided by the United States. We have the best weapons.”
Donald Trump, US President
On October 9, Trump announced a “diesel” deal with Putin that allowed the export of Russian fuel despite sanctions. And on October 11, he announced an alleged “energy truce” between Russia and Ukraine, which Russia reportedly violated immediately.
