Ukraine has bravely fought the Russian invasion. But they need to not bite the hand that feeds them.
And now Volodymyr Zelensky hit Trump with a reality check that’s about to backfire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed a mix of confidence and concern regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to ending Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In a recent interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Zelensky affirmed his belief in Trump’s determination to broker peace while voicing discomfort over what he sees as Trump’s overly favorable demeanor toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky’s Trust in Trump’s Peace Efforts
Zelensky directly stated his faith in Trump’s intentions and capabilities, saying, “I trust him [Trump] … he really wants to end this war, and I trust that he really can end this war.”
He acknowledged the broader fatigue from the conflict, now nearing its fourth anniversary, noting, “People are tired, yes, people want to finish with this tragedy… to end this war, as quickly as possible of course, but in the right way not to loose dignity in any way.”
Zelensky emphasized that any resolution must preserve Ukraine’s dignity and involve European participation, arguing, “If the war is in Europe … Europeans, they have to feel that this is aggression against us and Europe … this why peace negotiations have to be in Europe.”
He also highlighted recent battlefield dynamics, claiming no major Russian advances and reporting high Russian casualties of up to 35,000 troops per month in deaths or injuries.
Discomfort with Trump’s Relationship to Putin
While praising Trump’s desire for peace, Zelensky expressed unease about the U.S. president’s interactions with Putin.
He remarked, “But I don’t know, to speak about his relationship with Putin,” adding, “[T]hey have some relations, I’m sure and that’s why for me, sometimes it’s very, very painful that his attitude to Putin is sometimes, to put it, more good than Putin deserves.”
This comment reflects ongoing tensions amid Trump’s direct diplomacy, including phone calls and an in-person meeting in Alaska last October that failed to yield a deal, followed by a brief one-week ceasefire earlier this year that Ukraine accused Russia of violating through attacks on energy infrastructure during harsh winter conditions.
Broader Context of Negotiations and Challenges
The interview comes against a backdrop of stalled U.S.-led talks, including a recent short Geneva session that ended without progress, with Zelensky accusing Russia of stalling. Ukraine has faced a grueling winter marked by Russian strikes on civilian energy systems, leaving many without power in freezing temperatures.
Zelensky has stressed the need for fair terms in any agreement, resisting pressure for unilateral concessions while maintaining that lasting peace requires addressing the aggression’s root causes without compromising sovereignty. His comments illustrate the complex dynamics of U.S. mediation in the conflict, balancing hope for a resolution with concerns over perceived imbalances in diplomatic tone.
