US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House for Joint Base Andrews en route to Dalton, Georgia, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 16, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
President Donald Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of not wanting the Russian invasion of his own country to end.
This came after he was confronted about easing Russian sanctions, part of his effort to import diesel into the country to avert a rapidly escalating fuel crisis ahead of the midterm elections next month.
"Zelensky says you're supporting Putin by waiving these sanctions," said a reporter to Trump. To which he replied, "No, I'm supporting stopping the war."
"How does that help?" the reporter pressed him.
"Zelensky is not helping matters much," Trump shot back. "I think he doesn't want to stop it."
During the exchange, Trump also complained that "we've given a lot to Ukraine. They've given us nothing."
Trump has repeatedly gone back and forth in his position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine since retaking office. He has at some points slammed Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the architect of the invastion, for being unwilling to come to the negotiating table. But at other times he has pinned blame on Zelensky, even insulting him to his face at diplomatic meetings.
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