Zelenskyy Rejects Trump Pressure Over Ukrainian Leadership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday rejected calls for new leadership in Kyiv from U.S. President Donald Trump, saying Russia is responsible for the war while Ukraine continues attacks on Russian infrastructure. The dispute followed drone strikes and renewed debate over energy targets.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine would consider stopping attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow ends strikes on Ukraine's energy grid. The statement came as both countries continued long-range aerial operations while ground forces remained largely deadlocked.

"Ukraine will be ready to stop striking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops striking our energy infrastructure," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said any reduction in attacks must happen through reciprocal steps and include guarantees. He linked the possibility of a broader pause to Russia's willingness to stop targeting energy facilities.

"It is possible to stop strikes on energy infrastructure as early as today, but Putin does not want to do so," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also responded to Trump's remarks, defending Zelenskyy's role during the war for independence. He said Ukrainians have the right to decide their own leadership.

"He has the support of the Ukrainian people, and they have the right to decide. Statements from abroad only confirm that he is doing his job well," said Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister.

Trump had said Saturday that Ukraine needed a new president, arguing Zelenskyy had not done enough to reach an agreement and blaming him for high diesel prices in the United States.

"I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal because he could have made many deals and for some reason he never does," said Donald Trump, U.S. President.

The exchange occurred as Kyiv expanded strikes against infrastructure inside Russia. According to Yandex, a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday shut down a data center operated by the Russian technology company, marking the third strike on its facilities in four days.

Russia and Ukraine have continued a long-range aerial campaign while their armies remain mostly stalled on the front line more than four and a half years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion, according to the Associated Press.