Brief
Trump urges new Ukrainian negotiator as Zelensky blames delayed arms shipments
Trump calls for a different Ukrainian negotiator; Zelensky says US decisions hurt Ukraine and delay missile deliveries.
By Felo News Desk · Published
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should be replaced as the chief negotiator in talks to end Russia's war, while Zelensky told U.S. senators that recent U.S. actions are delaying arms shipments to Ukraine.
What happened
During a press briefing outside the White House, Trump told reporters, "Zelenskyy is a man that should have had settled this war a long time ago. If he would’ve listened to me, he would have made a much better deal a long time ago. Maybe it’s time for Zelenskyy to get somebody else to negotiate." The comment follows a series of remarks on Truth Social in which Trump accused Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war and previously called him a "warmonger" over attacks on Russian oil refineries.
What the reports add
The Al Jazeera report notes that Trump also announced on Oct. 9 a plan for Russia to supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to U.S. and global markets, a move criticised by Kyiv and European partners as rewarding Moscow while the war continues. Zelensky, speaking to U.S. senators, said the Pentagon is delaying delivery of missile packages that partners have already paid for through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme, and that one missile package awaits Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s signature.
What was said
"Zelenskyy is a man that should have had settled this war a long time ago," Trump told reporters, according to Al Jazeera.
"We also know that … the Pentagon is delaying the delivery of missiles that our partners have already paid for through the PURL programme," Zelensky told U.S. senators, adding that a missile package is pending Hegseth’s signature.
How it came about
The clash follows earlier tensions, including Trump’s Oct. 16 executive order pausing a bipartisan sanctions package on Russia, which Zelensky called "unfortunate" in a Felo News article on Oct. 17. Zelensky has also criticised a recent U.S. sanctions waiver, saying it would strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort, as reported by Felo on Oct. 19.
Key facts
- President Trump suggested replacing Zelenskyy as Ukraine's chief negotiator (aljazeera.com)
- Zelensky told U.S. senators that missile deliveries are delayed pending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's signature (aljazeera.com)
- Trump announced a plan for Russia to export over 300,000 metric tonnes of diesel to U.S. and global markets (aljazeera.com)
- Zelensky said U.S. decisions are hurting Ukraine and could strengthen Putin's war effort (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “US-Ukraine relations sour as Trump, Zelenskyy clash over talks, arms”
