\n<\/p>\n
He later told reporters that he believed the Trump administration would lift more sanctions against Russia.<\/p>\n
He also said negotiators Ukrainian spoke to their US counterparts on Friday and that both teams could meet next week.<\/p>\n
Trump was initially criticised by Zelensky and Ukraine’s European allies for temporarily suspending some US sanctions to import Russian diesel in a bid to bring down US energy prices, which have skyrocketed during the Iran war.<\/p>\n
Trump has spent months grappling with the political consequences of the Middle East conflict, which has sent fuel costs soaring ahead of the US midterm elections. Rising inflation has soured Trump’s standing with the American public.<\/p>\n
Zelensky suggested the deal was tantamount to the US investing in Russia’s war effort.<\/p>\n
A few days later, Trump claimed that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire” to facilitate the export of Russian diesel. <\/p>\n
Both nations have been intensively striking one another’s energy infrastructure. Kyiv says this is to limit revenue for Russia’s war machine, while Moscow claims it only targets facilities used by the Ukrainian military.<\/p>\n
Zelensky initially expressed surprise at Trump’s announcement, and said Kyiv would stop the strikes if Russia did the same. After three days which saw several fresh attacks from Russia, Kyiv resumed its strikes on Russian oil refineries.<\/p>\n
This prompted scathing condemnation from Trump, who called the strikes a “disgrace”. Zelensky replied that he was “only standing up for Ukraine’s interests”. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n