In a recent statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that US President Donald Trump’s administration had warned Ukraine of a possible halt to the exchange of intelligence. This could happen if the Ukrainian army continues to attack Russian oil refineries. In an interview with NPR, Zelenskyy emphasised that such strikes are being carried out to weaken Russia’s ability to wage war, and noted that Ukraine will not cease its actions whilst Russia continues to attack Ukrainian energy facilities.
Zelenskyy also commented on recent statements by Trump, who has accused Ukraine of causing a rise in diesel prices. The Ukrainian leader refuted this claim and attributed the price rise to the war in Iran, which broke out following actions by the US and Israel. The President of Ukraine pointed to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as one of the key causes of the current situation in the energy market.
The White House declined to confirm or deny reports of a threat to halt intelligence-sharing, though Trump assured that the US continues to cooperate with both Ukraine and Russia. He also emphasised that the US is working to bring the war to an end.
On 9 October, Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin that temporarily exempts Russian diesel from sanctions to facilitate its supply to the global market. At the same time, Trump insisted on an end to Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure.
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with Zelenskyy’s stance, accusing him of being unwilling to conclude a peace agreement, and stated that a change of Ukrainian leadership was necessary. Media sources reported that the US may suspend the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine due to the ongoing strikes on Russian oil refineries.
The US President is convinced that both Zelenskyy and Putin want the war to end, but have not yet found a way to achieve this. America, he said, is ready to help in this regard. It should be recalled that in the spring of 2025, Trump had already suspended cooperation with Ukraine on the exchange of intelligence, but this was subsequently resumed following negotiations in Saudi Arabia.