Trump Angered by Zelenskyy on Russian Sanctions Relief

March 15—Sources close to the White House say that President Donald Trump is angry at the criticism coming from Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the President's granting Russia relief from sanctions so that it can sell oil to help lower prices in the world market. Zelenskyy has said such sanctions relief will aid Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine and accused Trump of "sacrificing Ukraine" to save a few pennies in the price of gas.

Zelenskyy further urged European nations to keep their sanctions in place and not take advantage of Trump's policy. While the government of Sir Keir Starmer—plagued by its links to the Epstein class—has said that it would not buy Russian oil, the European Union is reportedly putting pressure on Kyiv to open the pipeline that carries Russian oil to Europe to take advantage of Trump's offer, which was coordinated directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

European Pressure and Sanctions Lifting Agreement

The Ukrainian dictator has so far refused the EU demands, saying that he is being "blackmailed" by the Europeans, who threaten to reduce support for Ukraine if their demands are not met.

The sanctions were lifted March 13, following a meeting a day earlier in Miami between a team led by Putin's Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev and one led by Trump Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Presidential son‑in‑law Jared Kushner. The teams discussed the sanctions relief details, as well as programs that would increase U.S. investment in Russia, including energy and other development in the Arctic, sources report.

Russia’s Role in Regional Peace Efforts

There was also discussion of Russian plans to build a regional peace conference that would play a role in ending the war against Iran. Russia is coordinating with Arab states, including the Gulf States, and using its influence to help bring about a ceasefire between the warring parties within the next 10 days. Trump was made aware of these initiatives during a March 9 call with Putin, in which Trump was assured that Russia does not want Iran to develop nuclear weapons and that it would not sell Iran Russian arms.

Trump told Putin that he would not focus on ending the war in Ukraine again until hostilities ceased with Iran, which he said he wanted to happen before the end of the month. Meanwhile, the two agreed that work should proceed on the technical details of a new peace accord in Ukraine.

Trump Frustrated With Zelenskyy’s Behavior

"Trump has made it perfectly clear that he considers Zelenskyy, not Putin, as the main obstacle to ending the war," said a source. "Trump would also like to block the deployment of new IRBMs in Europe that would threaten Russia and ramp up tensions. But for that discussion to take place, the senseless slaughter in Ukraine has to stop first."

Zelenskyy has also angered Trump with his efforts to inject himself into the Iran war. He offered to help Trump by providing the U.S. and Gulf States with Ukrainian expertise in fighting Iranian drones, which the Russians have deployed against Ukraine. He bragged that several states have asked for such help and that he has dispatched teams to assist countries in the region.

Trump Responds Harshly to Zelenskyy’s Comments

But one of the countries that does not want his help is the United States. In an interview with NBC News March 14, when asked about criticism from some foreign leaders about lifting the sanctions on Russia, Trump didn’t directly answer but trained his ire on the Ukrainian president, saying over the phone, “I’m surprised that Zelenskyy doesn’t want to make a deal. Tell Zelenskyy to make a deal because Putin’s willing to make a deal.”

“Zelenskyy is far more difficult to make a deal with,” the U.S. president added.

He was then asked about Zelenskyy’s offer of help. Trump said that “we don’t need help,” adding that “the last person we need help from is Zelenskyy.”

Zelenskyy’s statements and actions did draw attention from one participant in the conflict—Iran stated that the Ukrainian president had made his nation a "valid target" for the Iranians.