Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stark warning on Sunday, stating that it would be a "historic mistake" and "great tragedy" for Washington to side with Moscow in the ongoing conflict. His comments, made during an appearance on NBC News' "Meet the Press," have escalated tensions to a critical point between Kyiv and the Trump administration.
"If the United States supports Putin, it is unbelievable, it is a tragedy, it is a historic mistake," Zelensky asserted while emphasizing that Ukraine still views the U.S. as an ally and hopes to trust Trump: "We want to trust him."
The catalyst for Zelensky's remarks is a series of decisions by the Trump administration that Kyiv perceives as warming ties with Russia. On October 9, Trump unveiled an agreement with Putin to import up to 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel, backed by a U.S. Treasury license valid until April 2027. Two days later, he announced an alleged "energy ceasefire," a move never formally acknowledged by Moscow. Then, on October 16, Trump used an executive order to suspend major sanctions and tariffs outlined in the Lindsey Graham Act—legislation he had signed into law on September 18—citing "national interest," just days before they were set to take effect.
The Kremlin's envoy, Kiril Dmitriev, hailed this suspension as a "historic moment," while the decision sparked bipartisan criticism in the U.S. Congress.
Increased Hostilities and Ukrainian Retaliation
In this context, Zelensky took to social media platform X on Sunday to denounce that since the energy ceasefire announcement, Russia has intentionally targeted Ukraine's energy, oil, and gas sectors 76 times.
"Since the U.S. president announced the energy ceasefire a week ago, Russia has deliberately attacked Ukraine's energy, oil, and gas sectors 76 times," the president specified.
Overnight from Saturday to Sunday, the assaults hit electrical substations in the Vinnitsa, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, and Odessa regions, leaving over 500,000 residents without power.
Throughout the past week, Russia has launched nearly 2,700 suicide drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 66 missiles—most of them ballistic—against Ukraine. "The primary targets of these attacks are energy facilities: the Russians aim to trigger a widespread blackout," Zelensky emphasized.
In retaliation, Ukraine launched one of its largest drone offensives against St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region on Sunday, igniting fires at oil terminals and leaving approximately 20,000 people without electricity.
Calls for U.S. Recognition and Shifting Blame
Zelensky urged Washington to acknowledge the situation on the ground: "The United States should see that Russia is not taking any reciprocal actions in response to the relief of sanctions or the agreements reached."
The Ukrainian leader also rejected the notion that Kyiv bears responsibility for the war: "The war persists because of Russia's stance, not because Ukraine is defending itself legitimately."
Relations between Zelensky and Trump have progressively soured in recent weeks. Trump even suggested that it might be time for Ukraine to have a new president, and the administration has threatened to cut intelligence and ammunition supplies to Kyiv if it doesn't halt attacks on Russian oil facilities.
"It is Russia that must face the pressure for peace to have a chance," Zelensky concluded, marking his most direct appeal yet for Washington to shift its demands from Kyiv to Moscow.
Understanding the U.S.-Ukraine-Russia Tensions
Why does Zelensky consider U.S. support for Russia a historic mistake?
Zelensky views U.S. support for Russia as a historic mistake because it would undermine Ukraine's efforts to defend itself and could escalate the conflict, causing further instability in the region.
What actions by the Trump administration have worried Ukraine?
Ukraine is concerned about the Trump administration's decision to import Russian diesel, declare an "energy ceasefire," and suspend sanctions against Russia, as these moves are perceived as aligning with Moscow.
How has Ukraine responded to Russian aggression?
In response to Russian attacks, Ukraine launched a major drone offensive targeting oil terminals in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, causing disruptions in the area.