Zelensky's Trump criticism may worsen Kyiv's battlefield position

The Economist reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's criticism of US President Donald Trump could worsen Kyiv's situation on the battlefield, potentially accelerating a final rift with America. The publication states that neither European allies nor Ukraine's own defense industry can replace American technologies. This follows a recent US-Russia agreement on diesel fuel supplies, after which Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Zelensky's unwillingness to negotiate peace and halt strikes on Russian refineries. Trump has suggested Ukraine needs a new leader to reach a deal with Russia. Moscow also accuses Kyiv of failing to honor an energy ceasefire, citing attacks on Russian refineries, while Zelensky has publicly objected to the US-Russia fuel agreement.