Russian invasion

Ukraine’s response
Zelenskyy on Trump: "Painful when he chooses a side"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy feels disappointment and frustration regarding Donald Trump’s actions. He expresses this in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.

When asked if he feels betrayed by Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, he replies:

"Yes, between us. But it is more complicated than my feelings. It is about our country’s survival."

Zelenskyy later states that the US president should maintain the neutral stance he previously held.

"It is painful when President Trump chooses a side—not our side," he says.

Oil market
Analysis: Trump’s sympathies for Russia are a mystery

Donald Trump’s sympathies for Russia are one of the great mysteries of our time, writes CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh in an analysis.

After the US president struck a diesel deal with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Walsh writes that there are several factors arguing against Trump’s actions. He argues that it is unlikely to lead to a peace agreement, is not in line with US long-term security interests, and ignores Moscow’s support for Iran.

"One cannot help but wonder what Vladimir Putin is actually saying to Donald Trump when they speak on the phone."

Paul Sonne writes in the *New York Times* that Trump is giving Putin much of what the Russian president wants—but not everything. He quotes a Kremlin advisor who wrote last month that this would be unlikely, as the US political establishment would strongly object.

“Such a move could prompt Congress to launch a fiercer offensive, especially after the midterm elections.” 

The Fighting
Zelenskyy: Shows Putin does not respect Trump

Although US President Donald Trump claims that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire regarding attacks on each other's energy systems, Russia carried out extensive attacks on Kyiv's power grid overnight. At least six people have been killed and 600,000 are without power, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a post on X, he calls the Russian attacks a deliberate provocation against Trump.

"Never before has Russia shown such a demonstrative lack of respect for the USA."

In another post, Zelenskyy writes that Ukraine received no warning prior to the attack.

"It is absolutely unfair: they destroy our infrastructure, yet Ukraine does not even receive early warnings about these ballistic missiles."

According to sources cited by *The Kyiv Independent*, the Trump administration has threatened to stop sharing intelligence reports with Kyiv if they continue to attack the Russian oil industry.