Zelensky Says Ukraine Is Being Pushed to ‘Capitulate’ as Rift With Trump Escalates

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Washington's pressure on Kyiv appeared to be aimed at pushing his country toward surrender, accusing the Trump administration of delaying weapons deliveries while demanding that the country stop attacking Russian fuel infrastructure.

"I believe steps have been taken to convince Ukraine to capitulate," Zelensky told Bloomberg in an interview in Kyiv. "I am not saying that this is the goal our partners are pursuing," he added, saying he did not want to believe American officials thought the war could end sooner at Ukraine's expense. "But that's how it looks."

His remarks deepened a public confrontation with President Donald Trump over military support, sanctions and Russian diesel exports, as Ukraine prepares for winter with shortages of the interceptors needed to protect its cities. Zelenskyy said he had proposed that Ukraine would stop targeting Russian diesel infrastructure if Washington supplied additional Patriot air-defense missiles.

"My latest model was: We don't target Russian diesel, you give us missiles for Patriot systems to protect our facilities," he said. "But they just want us to stop attacking diesel. And if we strike that, they will disconnect us from something."

The Ukrainian leader linked the pressure to the approaching November 3 U.S. midterm elections. "Now, we have dangerous days ahead of the elections," he said. Trump has argued that Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries contribute to high fuel prices.

He defended his diesel agreement with Moscow and decision to waive portions of a new sanctions law as necessary to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin involved in peace negotiations. "He doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did," Trump wrote of Zelensky on Sunday.

Zelenskyy also questioned whether Trump's relationship with Putin was producing results. "I think that the president of the US does have a good relationship with Putin," he told the outlet. "But one thing doesn't work here. Currently, Trump can't force Putin to end the war."

The dispute extends to weapons Ukraine says have already been purchased. "We have paid for the weapons," Zelensky said, referring to purchases under the NATO-coordinated PURL program, including missiles used against ballistic threats. He said Washington had authorized some supplies while leaving others pending, adding: "And this is not a technical issue."

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine currently receives 12 Patriot interceptor missiles monthly, roughly one-quarter of the pace under former President Joe Biden. Those figures reflect his account of American deliveries.

Zelenskyy also blamed U.S. authorities for restrictions affecting Starlink connections used by Ukrainian forces, citing sources he did not identify. American officials have denied responsibility for restrictions affecting Ukraine's satellite capabilities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also denied Monday that intelligence sharing had been interrupted, contradicting Zelensky's separate account to NBC. Despite the accusations, Zelenskyy has maintained contact with Trump's envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. He said Sunday that another meeting was under discussion, potentially later in the week.

He also suggested the political atmosphere could improve after Americans vote. "Politics is very aggressive during election time," he said. "I think it is agony now, but after elections, life will continue and I believe it will be calmer."