Zelensky: Trump Pressures Ukraine Because He Cannot Stop Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told US broadcaster ABC News that US President Donald Trump is putting pressure on Ukraine because he has not found a way to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin. The remarks matter because they concern Washington's stance in the war Russia launched against Ukraine and the prospects for peace talks.

According to Zelensky, stopping Putin is harder than pressuring others, so it is easier to talk about diesel prices and link them to Ukraine. He stressed that everyone understands oil and oil product prices have risen because of the war in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The diesel deal

The Ukrainian leader also explained why he called the US-Russia agreement on diesel a "gift to Putin". In his words, it gives Putin money that he spends only on the war, to kill Ukrainians, including children. Zelensky said the Russian leader has a great deal of money for this war.

Elections and a ceasefire

Commenting on Trump's statements that Ukraine should change its president, Zelensky said new elections would be possible only if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. At present the country lacks safe conditions for voting, and holding elections in such circumstances would not meet constitutional requirements. In the event of a full two-month truce, Ukraine would organise elections, and he would be ready to accept whatever choice the people make.

Strikes on energy

Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia ends its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Easing tensions must be mutual and based on real guarantees, he added.

On Sunday Zelensky noted that within a single week Russia carried out massive attacks using more than a thousand guided aerial bombs, dozens of missiles and thousands of drones. Many civilians were injured or killed.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has continued since 24 February 2022, while the war against Ukraine has lasted since 2014, when Russia occupied the Crimean peninsula and began hostilities in Donbas.