Donald Trump has sharply criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling the decision to resume drone strikes on Russian oil refineries a disgrace. Speaking with Newsmax, Trump argued that targeting energy infrastructure serves only to drive up global oil prices, a concern that carries significant weight for Republicans facing upcoming midterm elections. The former president suggested there are plenty of other strategic targets available and expressed frustration with Zelenskyy, claiming he is more difficult to negotiate with than Vladimir Putin.

The escalating tension follows Kyiv’s announcement that it will no longer honor an energy ceasefire previously pushed by Trump. President Zelenskyy defended the move, stating that Russia’s continued assaults on Ukraine’s power grid made the truce untenable. In a heated response, Zelenskyy accused the United States of endangering civilian lives by attempting to broker deals with Moscow while simultaneously stripping away vital military support necessary for Ukraine’s survival.

Adding to the friction are reports of degraded intelligence sharing and disruptions to Starlink satellite services, which are essential for Ukrainian military coordination. While some U.S. officials have denied interfering with these systems, suspicions remain high in Kyiv that Washington is intentionally creating vulnerabilities to force Ukraine into a peace deal. This sentiment was echoed by European allies during a recent summit in Brussels, where Zelenskyy sought stability and reassurance from partners he described as real leaders.

While Trump attempts to link fluctuating diesel prices to Ukrainian aggression, analysts note that hitting Russian refineries has provided Kyiv with rare leverage by triggering a domestic fuel crisis within Russia. However, this tactical gain clashes with Trump’s broader strategy of easing certain sanctions on Russian diesel imports to lower costs for American consumers. As the Kremlin welcomes Trump’s criticisms of Zelenskyy, the divide between Washington and Kyiv appears wider than ever, leaving the future of U.S. military aid in precarious balance.