Ukraine and Europe seek to keep pressure on Putin after Trump deal on Russian diesel

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's refusal to negotiate a settlement with Russia is a point of contention between the United States and Ukraine, according to US President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Putin desires an agreement to end the conflict, urging Ukraine to select a new president to facilitate such an accord. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that Putin "very much wants to reach a settlement," following a roughly 90-minute conversation on Ukraine's war and methods to attain an arrangement.

Trump criticized Zelenskyy for not organizing elections since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, arguing that elections could have been held earlier. The remarks highlight the increasing rift between Washington and Kyiv over the war's trajectory, economic difficulties related to energy costs, and terms for ending the conflict.

Trump has called for a new Ukrainian president amenable to a deal with Russia, holding Zelenskyy accountable for the war's persistence and criticizing Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which contribute to higher diesel prices in the United States. This announcement of a US-Russian deal on Russian diesel delivery drew criticism from Ukraine and Europe, as it may alleviate economic pressure on Moscow since the war commenced.

Zelenskyy denounced the diesel supply agreement, arguing that easing restrictions allows Moscow to amass more resources to sustain the war, potentially weakening the economic pressure on Russia. In an effort to prevent the situation from escalating, Zelenskyy proposed halting attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stopped its assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities, a suggestion linking mutual de-escalation to a cessation of targeting critical infrastructure on both sides.

The ongoing conflict reflects a deepening divide between Trump and Zelenskyy regarding the war's conduct and the terms of a settlement, especially given Moscow's persistent demand to retain the Ukrainian territories it controls—a challenge that remains a significant barrier to reaching a final agreement. European nations have reiterated their backing for Ukraine's leader, emphasizing that political leadership in the country must be determined by the Ukrainian people themselves.