Zelensky Accuses Trump of Betrayal Over Russian Diesel Deal
Volodymyr Zelensky accused Donald Trump of betraying Ukraine after the U.S. signed a Russian diesel deal and restricted critical satellite intelligence services.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused U.S. President Donald Trump of betraying Ukraine following a series of diplomatic and military frictions. Zelenskyy claims the U.S. restricted the Starshield satellite system and cut off vital intelligence, leaving Kyiv vulnerable to Russian strikes. While the White House attributed the disruptions to a technical glitch, Ukrainian officials view the move as a warning to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The tension stems from Trump's announcement of an energy ceasefire and a deal to import Russian diesel. Zelenskyy characterized this decision as choosing the wrong side of history and threatened to resume refinery strikes unless the U.S. provides Patriot missiles. Military Starlink services were reportedly restored by October 15.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov countered these claims during a press conference in Baku, asserting that Zelenskyy is directly provoking Trump by continuing refinery strikes and refusing to engage in the diesel agreement. Lavrov and Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports of a joint U.S.-European peace plan, stating Russia has received no official proposal. As the diplomatic rift widens, Russia has intensified missile strikes on energy infrastructure in Kyiv, causing power outages ahead of winter.
