President Volodymyr Zelensky accused US President Donald Trump of shifting responsibility for Russia’s aggression onto Ukraine and diverting attention from problems surrounding Iran, in an interview published Thursday, Oct. 22.
Speaking to Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Zelensky rejected Trump’s argument that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries were responsible for rising diesel prices in the US.
JOIN US ON TELEGRAM
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
“I think it’s wrong and unacceptable that he pins Russia’s aggression and Russia’s killings on me,” Zelensky said.
He argued that disruptions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, were at the heart of the energy problem. Zelensky accused Trump of redirecting the discussion toward Ukraine and making him personally the target of criticism.
Zelensky said he had repeatedly proposed a reciprocal halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. Such an arrangement would protect Ukrainian electricity supplies while allowing Russia to sell its energy exports.
But Putin had refused to agree to an energy ceasefire, Zelensky said, arguing that Trump was blaming Kyiv rather than confronting Moscow over that refusal.
He maintained that he had a good relationship with Trump but described the US president’s accusations as unfair.
Zelensky demands missiles and pressure on Putin
Zelensky said that if Washington could not secure an energy truce, it should provide Ukraine with the air defense missiles needed to protect its infrastructure.
Other Topics of Interest
Sloviansk Expands Forced Evacuation Zone for Families With Children to Entire Community
Russia struck the settlements of the Donetsk region over 42 times on Wednesday, injuring several children and prompting local authorities to evacuate a total of 215 people from the front line.
He stressed that Kyiv was seeking deliveries financed by European partners, rather than asking for the weapons free of charge. He also complained that supplies had been directed toward the Middle East while Ukraine’s needs remained unmet.
The president argued that Trump could bring Putin to the negotiating table by directing the same forceful rhetoric toward the Russian leader that he used against Ukraine.
He pointed to sanctions approved by Congress as another instrument available to Washington. Asked why Trump had not applied greater pressure, Zelensky said he did not know, offering possible explanations without claiming to know the US president’s motives.
Dispute over Russian diesel and refinery strikes
The interview follows Trump’s criticism of Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries, which he called a “disgrace” in an Oct. 15 interview with Newsmax.
Trump blamed Kyiv for higher energy prices and portrayed Zelensky as more difficult to negotiate with than Putin.
Ukraine had temporarily suspended refinery attacks at Washington’s request, but Zelensky said the pause could not continue while Russia kept striking Ukrainian energy facilities.
His position has been that any restriction on Ukrainian attacks must be matched by an end to Russia’s strikes on Ukraine’s electricity grid.
The dispute intensified after Trump agreed with Putin to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports. Zelensky has criticized that arrangement as economic relief for Moscow while its invasion continues.
Energy analysts have also questioned whether additional Russian diesel supplies would significantly reduce fuel prices, pointing instead to the disruption of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israel war with Iran.
Russian strikes follow latest diplomatic meeting
The interview’s publication also came after another major Russian missile attack on Kyiv, following Putin’s meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Zelensky said Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles toward the capital in three waves overnight. Residential buildings, energy facilities, railway and metro infrastructure, shopping centers, and industrial sites were among the damaged locations.
Across Ukraine, he reported two deaths and 34 people wounded, including five children, in attacks affecting 12 regions.
The strikes followed a meeting at which the Kremlin signaled willingness to resume negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US. Witkoff also praised Putin as a humanitarian after Russia released an American detainee.
Responding to the attacks, Zelensky argued that negotiations must be accompanied by real pressure on Moscow. He called for stronger air defenses, faster missile deliveries, sanctions, and the capability to destroy Russian ballistic missile launchers.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.