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Trump to Newsmax: Not Fan of Zelenskyy as Kyiv Resumes Refinery Strikes
Newsmax ^ | Thursday, 15 October 2026

Posted on 10/16/2026 5:44:26 AM PDT by Mount Athos

President Donald Trump told Newsmax on Thursday he is "not a big fan" of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and considers him more difficult to negotiate with than Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing Ukraine's decision to resume attacks on Russian oil refineries amid efforts to end the war.

"Zelenskyy is not a good guy for us to deal with," Trump said in an exclusive interview on "Finnerty" from the White House.

"He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't. No, I'm not a big fan of Zelenskyy."

Ukraine resumed strikes Thursday on Russian oil infrastructure.

Asked about Ukraine's renewed strikes, Trump said they were driving up global energy prices.

Trump has sought to bring down energy prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, including through an agreement with Putin for the purchase of Russian diesel.

Zelenskyy criticized that agreement, arguing it would help finance Russia's war against Ukraine. He also complained about restrictions on U.S. intelligence sharing and Starlink satellite communications that he said were undermining Ukraine's defenses.

Trump also raised the prospect of new elections in Ukraine, questioning whether Zelenskyy retained public support amid the continuing war.

Trump also criticized former President Joe Biden for providing Ukraine with billions of dollars in military assistance and said his administration was rebuilding American weapons stockpiles.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: putinstoogery; tds
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1 posted on 10/16/2026 5:44:26 AM PDT by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos

Putin attacked a refinery in Ukraine the next day after the supposed “deal”. Is Ukraine supposed to unilaterally disarm while still being attacked?


2 posted on 10/16/2026 5:47:13 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009
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To: TexasFreeper2009

What you are saying is not true, they did not attack a refinery. They attacked energy infrastructure, such as a power plant that was not part of the cease fire agreement.

I dont understand why you ask if ukraine should unilaterally disarm, there are lots of other targets other than refineries


3 posted on 10/16/2026 5:54:54 AM PDT by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos

Trump is meddling where he has no business. He whines about there would be no war if he had been President, but that is a fantasy

President Trump can’t seem to grasp the actual fact that for Ukraine, the war is existential. There is no reason for Ukraine to supplicate to President Trump just to get peace.

Russian Diesel? To lower the price at home in America, all he has to do is to forbid Diesel exports. When the chips are down, Trump somehow forgets America First


4 posted on 10/16/2026 5:57:09 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Quid Quid Nominatur Fabricatur)
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To: Mount Athos

because the one and ONLY thing Russia doesn’t want Ukraine to attack is its oil infrastructure.

I was the one saying from day ONE of the war, that is exactly what Ukraine needed to attack!


5 posted on 10/16/2026 6:04:52 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009
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To: Mount Athos

Objective questions:

How many times has President Trump praised Vladimir Putin? How many times as he criticized or condemned him?

I know the answer to the latter.


6 posted on 10/16/2026 6:52:25 AM PDT by Miami Rebel (RE)
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To: Mount Athos

I don’t like Trump, but I voted for him three times because the alternative was so much worse. Trump may not like Zelensky, but Putin is worse. Life sometimes stinks. Sometimes you have to soldier on and make the best of it.


7 posted on 10/16/2026 7:18:53 AM PDT by Engraved-on-His-hands (If someone says that there are no absolutes, ask them if they are absolutely sure.)
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To: Mount Athos

Quite the Zerperfest ya got here.

Voldemort needs to be taken out. End this Biden war. We have no strategic interests in Ukraine. None.


8 posted on 10/16/2026 7:21:05 AM PDT by FlyingEagle
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To: bert

like the rest of the World, Ukraine is leaching off us, so yes, we do get a say.


9 posted on 10/16/2026 7:26:26 AM PDT by cowboyusa (YESHUA IS KING OF AMERICA!)
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