Trump’s post on Truth Social on Sunday was a sharp rebuke of Zelensky, claiming the Ukrainian leader has no desire to end the war. He followed the executive order signed on Friday that lifted broad sanctions on Russia, including a temporary waiver of Russian diesel sanctions aimed at lowering fuel prices.
The president described the sanctions lift as part of a broader strategy to keep Russia on the bargaining table, noting that “great progress is being made” in peace talks and that he could sign a new document at any time.
Zelensky’s attacks on Russian refineries, Trump said, are intended to hurt diesel markets worldwide, a claim that has alarmed Kyiv and its allies. The White House has yet to respond to a request for clarification.
The comments arrive amid rising fuel costs and a looming U.S. election in early November, with pollsters warning that the war’s economic fallout could influence voter sentiment. Trump’s stance may prompt further debate on U.S. sanctions policy and its impact on domestic and international markets.