Zelenskyy Says Trump Pressures Ukraine to Yield, Not Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Donald Trump of pressuring Kyiv to surrender to Russia, escalating tensions between the two nations ahead of U.S. midterm elections. Zelenskyy proposed halting strikes on Russian refineries in exchange for more Patriot missile deliveries, citing unfriendly U.S. moves like slowed Starlink speeds and delayed interceptor shipments. He said Washington's actions appear aimed at forcing Ukraine's capitulation, though he stopped short of confirming that as the official goal. A reported potential trilateral meeting between Putin, Trump, and Xi Jinping excluded Kyiv, which Ukraine's foreign minister warned would encourage Russia. The U.S. denied finalizing such plans, while Russia said no resolution is possible without a Ukrainian representative.