On October 16, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Ukraine's resumption of strikes on Russian oil refineries (NPPs), calling it a "shame." He noted that such actions raise global oil prices and pointed out that there are other targets for attacks.
Trump's Statements on Negotiations with Russia
Trump also emphasized that Volodymyr Zelensky is a more complicated negotiator than Vladimir Putin. He stated that it is easier to negotiate with the Russian president and expressed the opinion that a future agreement could be reached with another president of Ukraine. Among his remarks:
- He believes Zelensky is unwilling to negotiate;
- Trump thinks Ukraine needs elections;
- He doubts the level of support for the current government in Ukraine;
- Trump also noted that Russia has an advantage in manpower.
Trump's Disappointment Over the Prolongation of the War
The U.S. president expressed his disappointment over the prolongation of the Russo-Ukrainian war, pointing to mistakes in Russian command. He recalled how Russian tanks were supposed to quickly capture Kyiv, but due to poor weather conditions and the incompetence of the general in command, they got stuck in the mud.
Trump noted that the war should have ended sooner and that if the general had not made a mistake, everything could have been different. He also reiterated that Ukraine needs elections, and that a peace agreement could only be reached under a different president.
Allegations of Arms Sales
In addition to criticizing Ukrainian strikes, Trump also made a statement that Ukraine allegedly sold missiles that were transferred to it during the administration of Joe Biden. These words sparked outrage among Ukrainian politicians and experts, who consider such accusations unfounded.