Ukrainian President has raised concerns over US pressure, delayed air-defence supplies and Washington's approach to negotiations with Russia (Img: Pinterest)
Washington: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused US President Donald Trump of putting pressure on Kyiv to make concessions to Moscow, as disagreements over sanctions, energy infrastructure and military assistance deepen tensions between the two allies.
According to the reports, Zelenskyy expressed concern over Washington’s approach to the war, saying recent decisions had raised questions about whether Ukraine was being pushed towards an unfavourable settlement.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was prepared to consider halting attacks on Russian oil refineries in exchange for additional Patriot air-defence missiles to protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.
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The proposal comes amid demands from the Trump administration for Kyiv to stop targeting Russian energy facilities, which Washington has linked to rising fuel prices, particularly diesel.
Ukraine has maintained that it is willing to suspend such strikes if Russia also stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, both sides have continued targeting energy installations despite discussions about an energy ceasefire.
The Ukrainian president also criticised delays in deliveries of Patriot interceptor missiles, which are used to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks. He said the United States was supplying significantly fewer interceptors than during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Zelenskyy further raised concerns over reports of restrictions on Starlink satellite internet speeds in Ukraine. The service is important for Ukrainian military communications, including battlefield coordination.
He suggested that the restrictions and delays in military supplies were adding to the pressure on Kyiv, although the allegations about the reasons behind these decisions were not independently established in the interview.
Trump defended his decision to ease certain sanctions restrictions in connection with a limited Russian diesel supply arrangement, arguing that he wanted to keep Moscow engaged in peace negotiations.
He also accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the conflict and argued that Ukraine could have secured better terms earlier in the war.
Meanwhile, a Russian ballistic missile attack reportedly killed at least one person in Ukraine late Sunday, according to local authorities.
Despite the growing dispute, Zelenskyy said relations with Washington could become less confrontational after the US midterm elections on November 3. He also indicated that discussions with Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, could lead to another meeting on peace negotiations.
