Donald Trump has said major progress is being made in peace negotiations over the war between Russia and Ukraine, while accusing President Volodymyr Zelensky of putting the talks at risk by targeting Russian oil facilities.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, the US president also defended his decision to delay the implementation of new sanctions against Moscow, arguing that further pressure could drive Vladimir Putin away from the negotiating table.
Trump wrote: “I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table.”
He added: “Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations!”
His comments came as Ukraine launched one of its largest drone offensives of the conflict, sending more than 1,000 drones towards Russian territory. Oil infrastructure in St Petersburg was set ablaze during the attacks.
Trump directed his strongest criticism at Zelensky, alleging that Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities were prolonging the bloodshed and damaging global diesel markets.
He said the impact was also being felt by American farmers, ranchers and businesses, without providing further details.
Trump’s intervention amounted to his most forceful defence yet of Friday’s decision to block the immediate introduction of fresh sanctions against Russia, which has attracted criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
“My decision on Russia is a very simple one,” he wrote, warning that signing the sanctions legislation at this stage could jeopardise efforts to secure peace.
“Signing that document at this time will do that, and I can sign it later, or any time that I want!” Trump said.
