The Ukrainian leader criticized Trump’s Russian diesel agreement and questioned new Starlink restrictions that disrupted Ukrainian military operations.
LONDON, ENGLAND — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that he feels betrayed by President Donald Trump as relations between Kyiv and Washington deteriorate over a U.S.-Russia diesel agreement, pressure on Ukraine’s energy strikes and sudden restrictions affecting satellite communications used by Ukrainian forces.
Zelensky made the comments during an interview with Piers Morgan as Ukraine confronted another round of Russian attacks and uncertainty over U.S. support. Asked directly whether he felt betrayed by recent developments, Zelensky answered, “Really, yes,” while stressing that the dispute was about more than his personal feelings. His criticism centered on Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports and on questions surrounding limits placed on satellite services used by Ukraine’s military.
The dispute has widened rapidly. Trump announced last week that Russia would supply diesel to U.S. and global markets as his administration temporarily eased sanctions on Russian fuel. The White House has presented the move as part of an effort to address fuel prices and encourage diplomatic progress with Moscow. Ukraine and several U.S. lawmakers have questioned that approach because energy sales provide revenue to Russia while its war against Ukraine continues.
Zelensky said the policy shift left Kyiv feeling that a major partner was moving away from Ukraine. “It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side,” he said during the interview. Zelensky said he could accept Trump trying to position himself between Russia and Ukraine in negotiations, but argued that Washington should remain genuinely neutral if it takes that role. He also criticized Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire, saying Ukraine had not agreed to such an arrangement before Trump publicly described it.
Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacks on energy infrastructure, but Kyiv did not immediately confirm such an agreement. Zelensky said Ukraine would support a reciprocal halt in energy attacks if Russia also stopped striking Ukrainian infrastructure. Russian attacks continued after Trump’s announcement, adding to doubts in Kyiv about whether an effective ceasefire had been established.
The diplomatic fight became more complicated Wednesday when Ukrainian officials reported restrictions affecting Starlink and Starshield satellite services used by the military. Ukraine relies heavily on satellite communications for battlefield coordination and for some drone operations. Ukrainian officials said connectivity problems interfered with both offensive missions and defensive efforts to intercept incoming Russian drones. Some operations were canceled or disrupted after terminals lost service at higher speeds.
Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX operates Starlink, drew a distinction between the commercial Starlink network and Starshield, a military system provided under U.S. government contracts. Musk said Starshield systems are controlled by the U.S. government and that limits on their use are ultimately determined by American authorities. He said commercial Starlink service is intended for civilian or defensive purposes rather than offensive military operations.
The Trump administration has not publicly accepted responsibility for the reported restrictions. A senior U.S. official told Axios that the administration was not responsible for the alleged Starlink limitations, while Ukrainian officials sought answers from Washington and SpaceX. The uncertainty left Kyiv unable to say publicly whether the disruption resulted from a technical issue, a SpaceX policy decision or action by the U.S. government. No verified evidence released Wednesday established that Trump or Musk personally ordered the restrictions as retaliation against Zelensky.
Zelensky nevertheless warned that limiting the technology could have serious battlefield consequences. He said Ukraine uses satellite-linked systems not only for strikes but also for defending civilians against Russian drones. His comments came as Russia continued attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure, placing additional strain on the country as winter approaches. Ukraine has also raised concerns about changes in the flow of advance intelligence on Russian missile launches, although Trump said Tuesday that the United States was continuing to share intelligence with Kyiv.
The diesel agreement has also generated opposition inside the United States. A bipartisan group of senators urged Trump to reverse course, arguing that easing restrictions on Russian fuel could undermine sanctions intended to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance the war. Trump has defended the agreement and said efforts to increase diesel supplies are aimed at easing pressure on fuel markets while his administration continues trying to negotiate an end to the conflict.
The confrontation marks a sharp change from the more cooperative tone Zelensky struck with U.S. officials only weeks earlier. Ukraine’s presidency said Zelensky met Trump in September and continued discussing security, energy protection and possible diplomatic steps. Kyiv has repeatedly said it wants negotiations that produce a durable peace but cannot accept terms that leave Ukraine unable to defend itself or reward Russia for territory seized by force.
For now, questions over the satellite restrictions remain unresolved. Ukrainian officials said service had improved from its initial disruption but that limits were still affecting some operations. Kyiv is seeking clarification from SpaceX and U.S. officials while continuing to press Washington for military, intelligence and diplomatic support. The disagreement over Russian diesel, the proposed energy ceasefire and satellite access has left the U.S.-Ukraine partnership facing one of its most serious strains of the war.
Author note: Last updated October 14, 2026.