Trump claims Zelenskyy never wanted to end Russia’s war against Ukraine

US President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had never wanted to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. Trump made the accusation in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Trump also said Zelenskyy could have reached a better deal two years ago than he could now. He separately accused the Ukrainian president of targeting oil refineries in Russia, claiming the attacks were harming global diesel markets.

Trump says peace talks are underway

Trump said he was negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia. He added that he did not want to do anything that would “foolishly drive Russia away from the bargaining table” and claimed that great progress was being made, including in current hostage negotiations.

Trump again referred to his claim that Ukraine had lost part of its territory and access to certain seas. He described the country as being in a state of ruin and said its male population was low, wounded or dead.

Trump comments on Russia and Iran

Trump said Russia was doing “very little, if anything” for Iran compared with what it could be doing. He said he wanted to keep that situation unchanged.

On 18 October, Zelenskyy accused Trump of trying to pressure Ukraine into capitulating to Russia and delaying deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot air-defence systems.