In brief
President Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelensky of being harder to manage than President Vladimir Putin during a Newsmax interview, labeling Ukraine’s renewed oil‑refinery attacks a disgrace. Kyiv had paused strikes for a three‑day ceasefire at Washington’s request, yet resumed hostilities after Moscow showed no restraint. While Trump criticized the policy, Berlin‑based EU leaders urged tighter sanctions, and Ukraine’s president proceeded with a Brussels summit to solidify continental support. Russian drone strikes continued overnight, leaving casualties in Kharkiv, but the conflict’s economic dimensions remain in focus as the U.S. negotiates a diesel import deal. The diplomatic tensions mark a new chapter in U.S.–Ukraine relations, with Moscow’s response still subdued.
Trump Criticises Zelensky Amid Ukraine’s Oil‑Refinery Strikes
In a Newsmax interview on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “more difficult to deal with than Putin,” sparking a sharp rebuke from Kyiv’s camp.
The remark coincided with Kyiv’s decision, after a three‑day ceasefire requested by Washington, to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries—an action Trump called a disgrace. The U.S. had recently agreed to import 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel, a move that has further strained U.S.–Ukraine ties.
While Trump criticized the attacks, European leaders at a Brussels summit paraded by President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa affirmed full backing for sanctions against Russia, noting that Russian forces had ignored the ceasefire and escalated hostilities.
Back home, the war’s human toll persisted; a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv killed several civilians, and at least fourteen others were injured, per the regional governor’s telegram. Yet the political push‑and‑pull between Kyiv, Washington, and Berlin underscores the urgent need for a resolution that holds all parties accountable.
