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24 killed in fresh attack in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy seeks US pressure on Russia
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In Short: US President Donald Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries during a phone call.
US President Donald Trump expressed concern over rising fuel prices during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging him to cease strikes against Russian oil refineries, according to the Financial Times.
A senior Ukrainian official told TRT World that Trump's primary message was about diesel, pressing Zelenskyy to halt missile and drone bombardments of Russian refining installations.
Zelenskyy confirmed the call on Telegram, stating that they agreed to hold an in-person meeting during the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to The Indian Express, Zelenskyy said the first strike hit a school being used for humanitarian purposes, and five people were injured while 27 were initially reported missing.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for global pressure on Russia, stating that as long as the war continues, Russia's oil will burn and they will not profit from it.
Trump also suggested on Truth Social that Ukraine should replace Zelenskyy, citing his continued attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy accused Washington of delaying military deliveries, restricting intelligence sharing, and limiting access to the Starshield satellite communications system.
Under renewed pressure from Trump, Kyiv and Moscow are preparing to send negotiating teams to Abu Dhabi for a three-way meeting with American officials to explore the potential for agreement.
What this adds
Trump's call with Zelenskyy comes amid Russia's record waves of ballistic missile attacks and increased domestic political pressure on his administration ahead of the November midterm elections.
Zelenskyy's call for global pressure on Russia highlights the complex dynamics between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in the ongoing conflict.
Background
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician and former entertainer who has served as the sixth president of Ukraine since 2019. He took office five years after the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war with Russia's annexation of Crimea and invasion of the Donbas, and has continued to serve during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been ongoing since February 2022.
What's confirmed
- When Campos-Duffy said Trump wanted peace in Ukraine, Kilmeade shot back: “Tell Vladimir Putin.” The disagreement reached its peak when Campos-Duffy argued that Trump’s cooperation with Russia could help bring about peace, while accusing Zelenskyy of arrogance.
What's still developing
- "We just spoke with President Trump. An important conversation, and many things were discussed. We have arranged a meeting in New York, and this meeting can change a lot," Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
- A second senior Ukrainian official familiar with the exchange confirmed that Trump conveyed serious concern regarding surging diesel expenses, which have intensified domestic political pressure on his administration as critical congressional midterm elections approach in November.
- However, Trump is trying to shift the blame for this failure onto President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he said on The Diary of a CEO podcast.
- His words came amid Russia's four record waves of ballistic missile attacks, after US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff described Putin as a "humanitarian." Previously, US officials cut Kyiv off from US intelligence and lowered a speed cap on Starlink to pressure Ukraine into stopping strikes on Russia's oil refineries that bring Moscow revenue for its war.
- “Zelenskyy has to want to settle this war, and if he doesn’t, I think it’s going to be a very bad thing,” Trump said as he talked about Russia having an “unlimited” supply of people to send in the fight.
- Russian drones swarmed Ukraine on Wednesday, and more than 850 had filled the skies over Ukraine since early Thursday, Zelenskyy said.
- President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is taking part in talks in Oslo on Tuesday, 20 October, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, before an anticipated visit to Moscow for discussions with Vladimir Putin.