{
  "id": 15476601,
  "title": "Zelensky speaks to US envoys amid Trump spat after warning US not to side with Russia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelensky-speaks-to-us-envoys-amid-trump-spat-after-warning-us-not-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T19:31:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3371329/zelensky-speaks-us-envoys-amid-trump-spat-after-warning-us-not-side-russia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Sunday, amid a conflict with US President Donald Trump. Zelensky emphasized that the outcome of the war heavily depends on America, while warning Washington against aligning with Russia during Europe's most severe conflict since World War II. The two nations continued to target each other's energy infrastructure, with Moscow causing widespread power outages and Kyiv executing the largest drone strike on St. Petersburg since the start of the war. US President Trump and Zelensky have been at odds, with Trump preventing new sanctions on Russia and striking a diesel deal with Moscow, which has raised concerns in Kyiv and Europe that the White House is leaning towards Moscow. Following his conversation with Trump's business partner and son-in-law, Zelensky stated that a lot depends on the US position in the war, but it is evident that various issues matter to everyone, and the war must be brought to an end. Ukraine expressed readiness to cooperate constructively and honestly and expects the same approach from all partners, both Europeans and Americans. Zelensky also discussed the delivery of US Patriot air defense systems, as Kyiv continues to defend against Russian missile attacks. Earlier, Zelensky told US media NBC that it would be a \"historic mistake\" for Washington to officially support Russia and expressed hope that Trump would reconsider his decisions. He was grateful for the resumption of intelligence sharing between the two countries but warned Moscow of their intention to leave Ukrainians without heat and electricity before winter. Russia allegedly breached the \"energy ceasefire\" 76 times, according to Zelensky, and was planning to deprive Ukrainians of warmth and electricity before winter. Russian strikes left tens of thousands without power in several regions, with three people reportedly killed. Ukrainian drones targeted St. Petersburg's historic city center, setting an oil refinery ablaze and causing one fatality.",
  "summary": "Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the midst of his spat with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, saying “a lot depends on America” as he earlier warned Washington not to side with Moscow in Europe’s worst conflict since World War II. The wartime leader spoke to the US officials as both Russia and Ukraine hit each other’s energy sites, with Moscow…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Wright says Trump administration has not broken promise to lower gas prices amid Iran war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/wright-says-trump-administration-has-not-broken-promise-to-lower-gas",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:18:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Zelenskyy speaks to US envoys amid Trump spat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelenskyy-speaks-to-us-envoys-amid-trump-spat",
        "published": "2026-10-18T17:53:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}