Zelensky says it's 'painful' when Trump sides with Russia over Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it is "painful" to clash with US President Donald Trump, Reuters and Bloomberg reported Wednesday.

Speaking during a visit to Britain, Zelensky told the Piers Morgan Uncensored program that "it's painful when President Trump chooses the other side rather than ours."

Zelensky said he could accept Trump taking a neutral stance between Ukraine and Russia, but added: "If you want to be in the middle, you have to stay in the middle all the way."

Asked whether he felt betrayed upon learning that Trump had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the supply of Russian diesel on Friday, Zelensky replied: "Honestly, yes."

"This is a more complicated matter than just my feelings or emotions," he said, adding: "It's a pity that we are losing a powerful partner."

Zelensky also took an indirect swipe at Trump's dealmaker approach, saying: "We don't sell our country. For us, this is not business — it is our lives and our homeland."

During a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Zelensky addressed reports that SpaceX had imposed restrictions on the Starlink satellite internet service it provides to Ukrainian forces, calling it "regrettable" and saying there had been "some difficulties."

"There have been several unexpected things that we would not have anticipated in a genuine partnership," he said. "We value our partnership with the United States."

Burnham said "the last few days — indeed the last few hours — have been very dark and difficult for Ukraine," and pledged that Britain would continue to provide all possible support.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak accused Ukraine of striking two oil refineries in Russia's Saratov region, saying he saw Ukraine "not moving in the direction of an energy truce," according to AFP.

The remarks were a pointed reference to the energy truce Trump had unilaterally announced Sunday. Zelensky's aide Dmytro Lytvyn rebuffed the claim as "false," saying the refineries — unlike other Russian facilities — had not been targeted.