Trump says Zelensky harder to deal with than Putin, blasts Ukraine refinery strikes
US President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is harder to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him an obstacle to peace negotiations. Trump also condemned Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries as a "disgrace." In a Thursday interview with Newsmax, Trump reiterated that Zelensky does not genuinely want an agreement, stating, "I'm not a big fan of Zelensky." He argued the refinery strikes raise global oil prices and said Ukraine should target other objectives instead. Trump's comments follow his Tuesday announcement of an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine, aimed at lowering US fuel prices before November elections. Zelensky criticized the deal, while Putin has not confirmed participation, and Ukraine has since resumed attacks on Russian refineries.