Zelenskyy Accuses Trump of Pushing Ukraine Toward Surrender

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of pressuring Kyiv to surrender to Russia. He said he didn't want to believe that Washington wanted an end to the war at Ukraine's expense, according to The New York Times.

The accusation came amid disputes over military aid and oil deals, according to The Detroit News. Zelenskyy has also suggested that the United States was now favoring Russia.

The exchange follows a strained stretch in the relationship. The United States resumed intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after a pause, as reported on Oct. 18. Intelligence-sharing in this context refers to information passed between governments. Zelenskyy told NBC at the time that he hopes Trump will remain an ally of Ukraine, according to Reuters.

On Oct. 14, Zelenskyy said it was "painful" when Trump took another side in Ukraine's war with Russia. On Oct. 16, he criticised a U.S.-Russian diesel deal and called Moscow's stance a "parody" of peace negotiations, according to Reuters.

Earlier, in March, Zelenskyy said Trump "still chooses a strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side."