After President Donald Trump demanded that Ukraine cease placing Russian oil refineries, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the assaults in an unique interview with ABC Information, saying his nation is responding to repeated Russian assaults on Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure.
“I mentioned it to President Trump … to his workforce and to his individuals a number of instances: we wish peace, we’re prepared for [a] ceasefire, we’re prepared to start from any sort of steps of de-escalation,” Zelenskyy advised “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl. “And if the Russians need us not [to] assault their diesel, their refineries and and many others., we’re asking President Trump, give them sign not assault vitality infrastructure of Ukraine.”
He went on, “Do not assault us. Do not kill our youngsters. We are going to cease assault[ing] your diesel. And I feel it is [a] honest, honest deal.”
After Zelenskyy’s interview on ABC Information aired, Trump mentioned on social media that Ukraine and Russia had each agreed to an vitality ceasefire.
“Efficient instantly, there may be an ENERGY CEASEFIRE within the Warfare between Russia and Ukraine. Each events have agreed. Don’t break it!” his put up mentioned.
Zelenskyy and his workplace weren’t knowledgeable about Trump’s assertion of an vitality ceasefire with Russia forward of time and discovered about it from social media, a senior supply in Ukraine’s presidential workplace advised ABC Information.
The supply mentioned Ukraine has no details about the alleged settlement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with ABC Information’ Jonathan Karl whereas showing on “This Week,” Oct. 11, 2026.
ABC Information
On Saturday, Trump lashed out at Zelenskyy to reporters, claiming the Ukrainian president “chooses to not” finish the warfare with Russia, which started when Russia invaded the sovereign nation in February of 2022.
Amid a world vitality disaster, Trump took challenge with Ukraine’s repeated strikes on Russian oil refineries, asserting that these strikes are exacerbating the value of diesel.
“We mentioned you would do no matter you need to Russia, do not hit the refineries, as a result of that is a world downside that is prompted. And [Zelenskyy] desires to make issues for the world,” Trump mentioned. “He can do no matter he desires. However you’ll be able to’t try this as a result of we’ve got a world downside. And the issue is brought on by the dearth of refineries for diesel gasoline. So what does he do? He goes and hits refineries.”
A senior Ukrainian supply advised ABC Information that Ukraine expects the Trump administration to cease sharing U.S. intelligence that tracks Russian missile launches in retaliation over Kyiv’s refusal to finish strikes on Russia’s oil trade.
Trump and Zelenskyy have had a tumultuous relationship. In 2025, a gathering within the Oval Workplace with reporters devolved right into a shouting match earlier than the cameras, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance rebuking the Ukrainian president for his dealing with of the warfare and even falsely blaming Zelenskyy for starting the battle.
The most recent spat comes after Trump introduced the U.S. had made a take care of Russia to “instantly” import 300,000 tons of its diesel gasoline, with a promise that tens of millions extra are coming.
Zelenskyy mentioned this deal quantities to an “apparent weak spot.”
“It performs into Russia’s fingers – permitting it to kill extra, wage warfare for longer, have even much less respect for America, and inflict even larger losses and injury on the world,” he mentioned. “We depend on America’s honest help for our protection of life, for our protection of individuals in Ukraine – and on the USA having a correspondingly sturdy dialog with Russia. A robust one, not a weak one.”
Lower than 24 hours later, Trump referred to as for Zelenskyy to get replaced.
“You understand what I counsel? I counsel they get a brand new chief who could make a deal. As a result of he may have made many offers. And for some purpose, he by no means does,” Trump mentioned on the White Home South Garden. “I feel it is time for Ukraine to get a brand new president.”
He later advised reporters, “I feel he ought to have an election.”
Responding to these feedback, Zelenskyy advised Karl, “With all respect to President Trump, it is as much as our society, as much as our individuals to decide on one or one other chief.”
Zelenskyy additionally provided an answer that he mentioned was shared with the Trump administration: a dedication to carry elections if Russian President Vladimir Putin abides by a 60-day ceasefire.
“I do know that Putin needed very a lot to alter the president in Ukraine, I perceive it. And if President Trump actually desires to have some adjustments in — throughout elections, I additionally shared it along with his workforce: please inform Putin, give us two months, 60 days of complete ceasefire, 60 days, and we are going to set up elections. In fact, we can be prepared for any selection of our individuals.”
Karl requested Zelenskyy why he thinks Trump and Elon Musk, whose Starlink web is important for Ukraine, are blaming him for the warfare’s continuation. Musk mentioned Saturday on X that Zelenskyy has “gone too far.”
“As a result of these individuals cannot discover a key find out how to cease Putin,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “As a result of it is extra easy to talk about the costs and join it with Ukraine when everyone on the earth understands … costs are rising … due to the warfare in Center East, of the blocking of Hormuz, due to these causes. All people understands it.”
Requested how lengthy Ukraine can proceed to defend itself because the warfare approaches 5 years, Zelenskyy mentioned the warfare has to finish.
“I hope that we are going to save this unity, Europe and the USA,” he mentioned. “We are going to defend ourselves as a result of in any other case, we are going to lose our life and houses, our freedom, independence, Ukraine. Yeah, we will not lose it. And the reality is on our aspect.”
