MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky will not hold elections in Ukraine or stop attacks on Russian oil refineries despite demands from US President Donald Trump, even if that means Washington pulls its support from Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, political analyst and international relations expert Vladimir Karasev told TASS.
"I think the situation could indeed develop in such a way that aid to Zelensky from the United States will be blocked. I do not think he will comply with Trump’s demands, so I believe Washington’s support for Kiev will decline," the expert said.
In his opinion, Zelensky is more apt to wait for the next US presidential election in hopes that a Democrat comes to power than to organize elections or abandon his tactics of terror.
"And, of course, this will also affect the pace of the Russian army’s advance along the line of engagement. Given the critical situation Zelensky is facing both on the front line and inside the country, particularly in the energy sector, things will only get worse for Kiev and the Ukrainian armed forces," the expert said.
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said elections needed to be held in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal noted that the US leader’s remarks indicated that relations with Zelensky had deteriorated to their lowest point since the winter of last year. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported, citing unnamed European officials, that the US administration was threatening to halt its weapons procurement program and the provision of intelligence to Ukraine.
Earlier, Axios reported, citing White House sources, that US President Donald Trump was angry with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and expected Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries. Trump believes the strikes are driving up US gasoline prices, the news outlet reported. He is also angry that Zelensky takes Washington’s support for Kiev for granted.