Krystyna Kazakova23:21, 18.10.26

4 min.6

Zelensky added that relations with the United States could improve after the US midterm elections.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused White House President Donald Trump of trying to force Kyiv to capitulate to Russia, Bloomberg reports .

The publication noted that this was the reason for the escalation of the conflict with the US president, which has been going on for a week.

Zelenskyy said he would agree to Trump’s request to stop strikes on Russian oil refineries in exchange for additional Patriot air defense missiles.

“Now, on the eve of the elections, we have dangerous days ahead. My last proposal was: we do not strike at Russian diesel fuel, and you provide us with missiles for Patriot systems to protect our facilities. But they just want us to stop attacking diesel fuel. And if we don’t do this, they will cut us off from something,” Zelensky said, referring to the US midterm elections, which will be held on November 3.

The publication noted that while relations between the US and Ukraine have reached a new low, Zelensky listed, in his words, a number of unfriendly steps by Washington towards Kyiv.

These include the deliberate slowing of Starlink internet speeds, which are crucial for Ukrainian troops fighting against Russia, as well as the delay in the already scarce supply of Patriot interceptors to shoot down ballistic missiles, which, according to Zelensky, have become a real nightmare for Ukrainian cities.

“I believe that measures were taken to persuade Ukraine to capitulate. I am not saying that this is precisely the goal pursued by our partners. I do not want to think that our American partners believe that the war against Russia can be ended faster at the expense of Ukraine. But that is exactly how it looks,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky added that relations with the United States could improve after the US midterm elections.

“During elections, political struggle becomes very aggressive. I think it’s a real torment now, but after the elections, life will go on, and I believe that everything will calm down,” he said.

The publication recalled that the US demanded that Kyiv stop attacking Russian oil refineries.

The Trump administration claims that these attacks contributed to rising energy prices, particularly diesel fuel, although global supplies have been much more affected by the US war with Iran.

The publication asked how the president of Ukraine would characterize efforts to improve relations with the United States:

“I believe that when the potential risks for Ukraine are tsunami-like, we should intervene even when it is only a moderate storm. In my opinion, there is much more at stake than the diesel agreement.”

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