OMM Newsroom
US President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over strikes on Russian oil refineries, saying the attacks were contributing to higher global energy prices. Trump made the comments in an interview with “Newsmax” on Thursday.
“I think that’s a disgrace. There are plenty of other targets,” Trump said, referring to attacks on facilities that produce diesel fuel. He argued that striking those refineries was not serving the interests of the United States or the wider world.
In an appearance on “Newsmax”’s “Finnerty” program at the White House, Trump also questioned Zelenskyy’s leadership and his readiness to negotiate an end to the war.
“Zelenskyy is not a good guy for us to deal with,” Trump said, adding that although Zelenskyy says he wants a settlement, he does not believe that is the case. Trump said he was “not a big fan” of the Ukrainian president.
Asked about a proposed two-month pause to enable Ukraine to hold elections, Trump said: “I think you need an election.” He also questioned whether Ukrainians were satisfied with their leadership as Russian attacks on residential buildings continued.
Trump referred to an interview with a Ukrainian woman who blamed Zelenskyy for the country’s suffering and military losses. He quoted her as saying: “Zelensky has destroyed our country.”
The US president said Russia’s larger population gave it a significant advantage in manpower, arguing that Moscow could sustain heavy military losses while Ukraine did not have comparable reserves.
Trump acknowledged that Ukraine had received advanced US military equipment, describing it as the “best equipment in the world.”
