Trump Calls Zelenskyy ‘Not a Good Guy to Deal With’ Amid Starlink Row

US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing him as “not a good guy for us to deal with” and claiming that he is more difficult to negotiate with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, Trump accused Zelenskyy of obstructing efforts to end the war with Russia and questioned his willingness to reach a settlement.

“Zelensky is not a good guy for us to deal with. Biden gave him hundreds of billions of dollars, billions and billions of dollars,” Trump said, referring to US assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“I think they're going to; if they're going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they're not going to do it with him. He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't know. I'm not a big fan of Zelensky. They've destroyed that country,” he added.

Trump also said he found the Ukrainian leader more difficult to deal with than Putin.

“I think I find Zelensky to be more difficult to deal with than Putin,” he said.

STARLINK ROW ADDS TO US-UKRAINE TENSIONS

Trump’s remarks come amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine’s military strategy, including strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and reported disruptions to satellite connectivity and intelligence-sharing.

Zelenskyy has alleged that Washington warned Ukrainian officials that intelligence-sharing could be suspended unless Kyiv stopped attacking Russian refineries. He also disputed the suggestion that interruptions to Starlink and Starshield connectivity were merely technical problems.

“It was not a technical problem; it was the will,” Zelenskyy said.

Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has become an important part of Ukraine’s wartime communications infrastructure. The satellite internet service supports military communications and has been used for drone operations, intelligence gathering and logistical coordination.

The dispute has highlighted Ukraine’s reliance on privately operated satellite systems and the influence that decisions over access to such services can have on its military operations.

TRUMP URGES UKRAINE TO FIND A NEW LEADER

Trump had previously suggested that Ukraine should elect a new leader capable of negotiating an agreement with Moscow. He also criticised Kyiv’s strikes on Russian oil refineries, arguing that attacks on fuel infrastructure could have wider consequences for global supplies.

The US president said he had specifically warned Zelenskyy against targeting refineries producing diesel, citing the potential impact on American farmers and ranchers.

“We told Zelensky, ‘You can do whatever you want to Russia, but don't hit the refineries because that's a world problem.’ And what does he do? He goes and hits the diesel fuel. He better damn well stop,” Trump said.

He questioned Zelenskyy’s negotiating strategy and suggested that a change in leadership could help secure a settlement.

“You know what I suggest? I suggest they get a new leader who could make a deal because he could've made many deals and for some reason he never does,” Trump said.

“I think it's time for Ukraine to get a new President,” he added.

Trump’s latest comments underscore continuing differences between Washington and Kyiv over how to end the war, the use of strikes against Russian energy infrastructure and the conditions under which a negotiated settlement could be reached.

With inputs from ANI