# Trump defends pro-Russian policies in scathing attack on Zelensky, saying he wants the war to end

https://mins.news/en/item/105459

- The Kyiv Independent, 2026-10-18 21:03 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://kyivindependent.com/i-want-this-war-end-trump-defends-pro-russian-policies-in-scathing-diatribe-against-zelensky-2/

> Trump defended recent decisions on Russia, including waiving sanctions, a diesel deal and pressure on Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries. He said he was pursuing peace talks and accused Zelensky of not wanting to end the war, describing Ukraine as devastated, deprived of much of its land and suffering severe losses among its male population.

## Related coverage

- [Zelenskyy Says Trump Is Forcing Ukraine to Capitulate to Russia](https://mins.news/en/item/105500) — Bloomberg News, 2026-10-18
- [Zelenskyy says Russia’s war on Ukraine ‘must be brought to an end’](https://mins.news/en/item/105411) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-18
- [Zelensky urges support for new US sanctions on Russia](https://mins.news/en/video/104744) — France 24 English, 2026-10-18