Trump slams Zelensky after Ukraine's major attack on Russia

Summary

Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone attacks of the year against Russia, striking a major oil terminal near St. Petersburg. The attack heightened tensions with the United States, as President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to stop targeting Russian energy infrastructure while Russian forces continue striking Ukraine’s energy sites.

Trump accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of damaging the global diesel market and not wanting to end the war. He also defended waiving sanctions on Russian fossil-fuel sales, saying he did not want to undermine negotiations. Zelensky warned that the United States siding with Russia would be a “historic mistake,” while emphasizing that Ukraine was still communicating with Trump representatives in pursuit of peace.

CNN correspondent Clare Sebastian reported that Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine, including strikes that Ukrainian officials said hit civilian, medical, educational, and energy facilities. Zelensky said ten energy sites in western Ukraine were hit in one night, cutting power to more than half a million households.

Ukrainian accounts of U.S. early warnings for ballistic missile attacks were unclear: officials said there was no warning for one strike but a warning for another. Zelensky said U.S. intelligence sharing had paused for three days before being restored.

Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said recent U.S. decisions had given Russia “several gifts,” including the sanctions waiver and changes to intelligence support. He argued that the moves weakened Ukraine and damaged confidence among U.S. allies, while stressing that Russia remains opposed to U.S. interests.

Angela Stent of the American Enterprise Institute described the battlefield as a stalemate that has become more difficult for Ukraine. She said sanctions relief could bolster Russia’s ability to continue the war, while reduced U.S. military and communications support leaves Ukraine more vulnerable. Stent said Ukraine has little choice but to keep fighting, despite the prospect of a severe winter, and that European countries will continue helping but cannot match U.S. support.

Presenters and Contributors

• Christina (anchor; surname not stated in the subtitles)
• Clare Sebastian
• John Herbst
• Angela Stent