Trump brands Ukraine's refinery strikes a 'disgrace' and says he finds Putin easier to deal with than Zelensky

Trump called Ukraine's resumed drone strikes on Russian oil refineries a "disgrace" in a Newsmax interview aired Thursday, blaming Zelensky for driving up global energy prices. Zelensky had declared Kyiv's unilateral energy ceasefire — announced by Trump last week — was over after Russia continued pounding Ukrainian power stations. Trump said he finds Putin "more difficult to deal with" and said Zelensky had "destroyed" Ukraine, as critics branded the remarks treason.

Zelensky ditched the ceasefire after Ukraine hit a Rosneft refinery near Ryazan, saying Russia never stopped striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Trump had eased sanctions on Russian diesel in exchange for Moscow releasing fuel to global markets, a move Zelensky condemned as a 'betrayal' that bankrolled Putin's war machine.

'I'm not a big fan of Zelensky — they've destroyed that country,' Trump told Newsmax, adding Ukraine's leaders 'are not going to' strike a deal 'with him.'