Zelensky says Ukraine has right to defend itself after Trump calls latest strikes a 'disgrace'

Newsweek reports that in an interview with Newsmax, Trump was asked about a drone attack on an oil facility in the Russian city of Ryazan[2]. Trump said Zelensky was "making the world oil price higher"[2] and added: "Well, I think that's a disgrace."[2]The Star reports that Trump is frustrated because the strikes affect Moscow's ability to export its diesel to America[1] under a recent US-Russia deal. According to Omega TV, the deal covers 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the American and global markets.[3]The Star reports that Zelensky said at an EU summit in Brussels that he could not accept the diesel deal because it might be followed by a gas agreement.[1] Yahoo News quotes him as saying: "I defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people exclusively."[4]According to The Star, Kyiv said it would stop strikes if Russia did the same but Moscow said it had never agreed to the deal and continued its attacks.[1]The Star also reports that the Kremlin later said it agreed with Trump's assertion that Zelensky did not want to make a deal with Russia.[1]The Star adds that Zelensky called the Starlink slowdown a "very dangerous and unpleasant surprise"[1]. The outlet also reports that the Trump administration had previously warned that it could withhold intelligence-sharing[1] if the refinery strikes continue.The Star reports that Zelensky still hoped US and Ukrainian negotiators would agree to a meeting "at one level or another" soon.[1]