President Donald Trump told Newsmax on Thursday that Ukraine's decision to resume strikes on Russian oil refineries is a "disgrace," saying the attacks drive up world oil prices. The remarks came in an exclusive interview with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty at the White House.

"Now, if you tell me that Zelenskyy is again shooting at refineries, all he's doing is making the world oil price higher," Trump told Newsmax. "Well, I think that's a disgrace. There's plenty of other targets."

Trump also said that "Zelenskyy is not a good guy for us to deal with" and that "I think I find Zelenskyy to be more difficult to deal with than Putin." He also raised the prospect of new elections in Ukraine. "I think you need an election," he told Newsmax. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, which bars national elections under Ukrainian law, Newsmax reported.

Ukraine hit a Russian oil refinery Thursday after Zelenskyy said he was "done" with the energy truce that Trump had announced, NBC News reported. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv reported any new strikes on Russian refineries Friday, NBC said.

The Kremlin agreed with Trump on Friday, NBC reported. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was clear that "Zelenskyy doesn't want to take responsibility and move toward a peaceful resolution," according to NBC. Peskov also told reporters that Kyiv's strikes are "coming into serious conflict with the peace efforts of the United States," AFP reported.

Zelenskyy was in Brussels on Friday to shore up support from European allies, whom he called "real leaders," NBC reported. Zelenskyy wrote online that "Russia has demonstratively disregarded the American President's proposal for an energy ceasefire," AFP reported. French President Emmanuel Macron said it was "crucial" that Ukraine receive "all the means necessary to protect itself," AFP reported. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted online: "YOU ARE NOT ALONE," AFP reported.

Zelenskyy also said Friday that Starlink service for Ukraine's military is still not fully restored. "Has the speed been fully restored to what it was? No. Is the speed returning? Yes," he told reporters in Brussels, NBC reported. SpaceX chief Elon Musk has said limits on the military Starshield system are "decided by the U.S. military and ultimately POTUS," AFP reported. Asked about Musk's statement, a senior U.S. official told NBC News that "no such request was ever made by the president."

In Kyiv, residents told AFP they sensed a change in Washington's attitude toward Ukraine. "Let them live here for two to three days," Alyona Nikitina, 30, told AFP.

What we know: Trump called Ukraine's renewed refinery strikes a "disgrace" in a Newsmax interview, and the Kremlin echoed his criticism on Friday.
What we don't: Whether Ukraine will keep up the strikes, and whether Washington will take new steps to pressure Kyiv.