Tension between Trump and Zelensky began after their New York meeting on September 23

The rift in relations between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traces back to their meeting in New York on September 23, after which the United States asked Ukraine six times to stop striking Russian oil refineries.

This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.

According to the publication, at the September meeting Trump tried to get Zelensky to explain the strikes on Russian refineries. In the month following that meeting, Trump’s attitude toward the Ukrainian leader grew increasingly negative.

“The U.S. approached Ukraine six times with a request to stop the strikes. Ukrainian officials said they would agree to any energy ceasefire with Russia, but Russia refused, so they did not back down,” the publication wrote.

WSJ sources specified that Trump was irritated by Ukraine’s use of American resources to strike Russian oil refineries. In the U.S. president’s view, this could cause harm to Americans.

On October 10, the Financial Times reported that the Americans might stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine if Kyiv did not halt strikes on Russian oil refineries. On October 14, Zelensky said he felt betrayed by Trump following a diesel deal with Russia. On October 15, The Washington Post reported that problems with Starlink had heightened Kyiv’s anxiety over the Americans’ provision of intelligence and military aid to Ukraine.

Earlier, Zelensky ruled out his own resignation following Trump’s remarks.