Zelensky says Trump is pressuring Ukraine to “capitulate” to Russia, as he proposes halting strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure for Patriot missiles

Ukrainian President Zelensky told Bloomberg that President Trump was pressuring Kyiv to surrender to Russia, saying recent U.S. actions appeared intended to force Ukraine into concessions. “I believe steps have been taken to convince Ukraine to capitulate,” he said, adding that he feared Washington was seeking to end the war sooner “at Ukraine’s expense.”

Zelensky also proposed halting Ukrainian strikes on Russian diesel and refinery infrastructure in exchange for additional Patriot air-defense missiles. He said the proposal followed Trump’s request to stop the attacks amid rising diesel prices. “My latest model was: We don’t target Russian diesel, you give us missiles for Patriot systems to protect our facilities,” Zelensky said.

He said Washington wanted Ukraine to stop the strikes without offering anything in return. Zelensky warned that continued attacks could lead the United States to “disconnect us from something” ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.