Ukraine war briefing: Trump accuses Zelenskyy of not wanting to end war as feud rumbles on

Headline from The Guardian · compiled from 3 sources

CBS News reports that President Trump said Sunday he is "in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine," and he accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the conflict[1]. According to CNN, Zelenskyy firmly rejected[2]

According to The National News Desk (TNND), Trump made the accusation after Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones at St. Petersburg in one of the largest aerial attacks of the nearly five-year war.[3] CBS News reports that Trump wrote Zelenskyy "doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did."[1]TNND reports that Trump made the accusation while defending his decision to waive some sanctions on Russia.[3] The outlet says Trump signed the executive order Friday, following his announcement of a deal for Russian diesel imports, which he said could lower U.S. fuel prices.[3]CNN reports that Zelenskyy posted that "Ukraine never wanted this war"[2]. TNND quotes him as writing that the war "continues solely because of Russian strikes and Russia's desire to drag this war out"[3].CBS News reports that Zelenskyy told NBC's "Meet the Press" that U.S.-Ukraine intelligence sharing had resumed after being "blocked for some period of time."[1] According to CBS, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was "not sure Zelenskyy knows what he's talking about, but it wasn't deliberate."[1]CNN reports that Zelenskyy, when asked whether Trump was an ally of Ukraine, said: "I hope so."[2]TNND reports that Zelenskyy said a Russian barrage overnight Sunday damaged more than 10 energy facilities across the country, leaving more than half a million people without electricity, heating or running water[3].

Listen to the songUkraine War — October 20, 2026

Sources

  1. [1]Trump accuses Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war sparked by Russia's full-scale invasion - CBS News
  2. [2]Trump slams Zelensky after Ukraine defies US president with major attack on Russia | CNN
  3. [3]Trump accuses Zelenskyy of prolonging war as Russia pounds Ukraine's power grid

Every sentence here reports what a named outlet said, with a link to it. Compiled by 93 from the reporting below.

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Ukraine war briefing: Trump accuses Zelenskyy of not wanting to end war as feud rumbles on | 93