Key facts
- Trump claimed Zelensky does not want to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
- Trump's comments followed Zelensky lifting restrictions on strikes against Russian oil refineries.
- Trump's team threatened to cut off intelligence support and arms shipments to Ukraine.
- Washington allowed Moscow to export diesel fuel to the U.S. despite sanctions.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview published Oct. 15, describing the Ukrainian leader as "not a good guy for (the U.S.) to deal with." Trump claimed Zelensky does not want to help end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump's remarks came after Zelensky lifted restrictions on Ukraine's strikes against Russian oil refineries on Oct. 15, following continued Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The U.S. president's comments add to deepening tensions between the two leaders, with Trump having previously blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for rising global fuel prices. His team had also threatened to cut off intelligence and arms shipments to Ukraine unless Kyiv halted such attacks.