On October 18, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns about pressure from the US, particularly under Donald Trump, who, according to Zelensky, is trying to push Ukraine into surrender in an interview with Bloomberg.
Restrictions on Military Aid
Zelensky noted that the US is currently providing Ukraine with only 12 missiles for the Patriot system per month, which is four times less than during the Biden administration. This significant reduction raises concerns in Kyiv as the country needs more support to defend its infrastructure.
Pressure on Ukraine from the US
The Ukrainian president emphasized that Washington is demanding that Kyiv cease attacks on Russian diesel fuel in exchange for military assistance. According to Zelensky, such demands create the impression that the US seeks to end the war at the expense of Ukrainian concessions. He expressed hope that relations between the countries could improve after the midterm elections in the US.
Trump's Reaction
In response to Zelensky's statements, Donald Trump accused Ukraine of unwillingness to end the war in a post on Truth Social, particularly due to new strikes on Russian oil refining. Trump claims that Zelensky should have agreed to a deal two years ago, and now his country "lies in ruins." He also stated that Ukraine no longer has access to the sea, which has sparked outrage among Ukrainian officials.