The relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have once again become strained. Trump called on Ukraine to change its head of state and demanded that strikes on Russian oil refineries cease.
WHAT CAUSED THE NEW CONFLICT
According to The Wall Street Journal, on 10 October 2026, Donald Trump stated that it was time for Ukraine to elect a new President. The American leader claims that Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly had the opportunity to negotiate an end to the war but did not take it.
Trump also demanded that Kyiv stop striking Russian oil refineries. He linked these attacks to rising diesel fuel prices in the US and on the global market. The statements came against the backdrop of an agreement to expand supplies of Russian diesel, which the American president announced after talks with Vladimir Putin.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ENERGY TRUCE
On 11 October 2026, Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy truce, which envisages an immediate cessation of strikes on energy facilities.
However, the specific terms of the agreement remained unclear. Zelensky stated that he was not aware of the details of the announced agreement, but that Ukraine was prepared to observe the truce provided that Russia also ceased attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. At the time of publication, there was no confirmation of a full agreement from Moscow.
Zelensky also stated his readiness to hold presidential elections if Russia agrees to a complete ceasefire for a period of 60 days.
WHAT HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY 2025
On 28 February 2025, Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington for talks with Donald Trump. One of the aims of the meeting was to sign an agreement on the use of Ukrainian minerals. Kyiv hoped that economic co-operation would help strengthen ties with the US, but the sides differed in their views regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and the terms for ending the war.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, the conversation escalated into a public altercation involving Trump, Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance.
Vance insisted on the need for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict. Zelensky countered that previous agreements with Russia had been violated and questioned the reliability of such an approach. In response, Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of disrespecting the US and stated that Ukraine risked facing even more severe consequences without American support.
Trump also demanded that Zelensky accept the terms of a ceasefire and emphasised that without US assistance, Ukraine's position would deteriorate significantly. Zelensky, in turn, insisted on the need for security guarantees.
After the argument, the remainder of the visit was cancelled. The joint press conference did not take place, and the minerals agreement was not signed that day.
HOW THE CONFLICT AFFECTS US-UKRAINE RELATIONS
According to the publication's assessment, the new escalation could complicate the efforts of European countries seeking to maintain American support for Ukraine.
At the centre of the disagreements remain the terms for ending the war, security guarantees for Kyiv and Washington's approach to pressuring Moscow. At the same time, the announced energy truce does not yet have terms publicly confirmed by both sides.
