Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky has declared that disagreements with US President Donald Trump are not personal issues, but has warned that approaching Russian President Vladimir Putin, and easing sanctions against Russia would strengthen Moscow.
Relations between the US and Ukraine have deteriorated significantly in recent weeks, following Trump’s decision to ease some sanctions against Russia and reporting an agreement on the purchase of Russian fuels.
In an interview for CNN, given in Kiev, Zelensky stressed that it opposes any ease of sanctions, arguing Putin is not planning to stop the war.
My stance on Putin is very clear. If we remove the sanctions, we’ll make it stronger. This is not something personal between me and President Trump?
Ukrainian president’s statements come at a time when the US administration is trying to find a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine.
US special envoy Steve Whitkoff held a three-hour meeting with the Russian president in St Petersburg, while Putin has agreed to hold new talks in November, without providing much details about them.
However, Zelensky said he is not convinced of the Russian leader’s readiness for peace.
It’s pathetic because he plays with other people’s lives and, of course, doesn’t want to stop the war, the Ukrainian president declared.
Zelensky left open the possibility of freezing the current front line as a step towards a ceasefire and negotiations, but ruled out the possibility that Ukraine would give up its controlling territories.
For us, the earth is very important because it is about humans. It is not for miles, he stressed, adding that Ukraine will not recognise territories occupied as part of Russia.
Meanwhile, despite Trump’s claims that Ukraine’s approach to the military version of the Starlink satellite system has returned, sources quoted by CNN suggest that service still does not function fully in all Ukrainian units.
Zelensky also stressed that Ukraine needs more advanced air defence missiles, as current reserves are not enough to face Russian attacks.
In another development, the Ukrainian president announced Finland would offer Ukraine a new package of support worth 300m euros.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen co-operation, particularly in exploiting satellite capacities and in protecting energy infrastructure.
In the end, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine has two main needs from its allies — not to ease the sanctions on Putin and provide more advanced missiles for the country’s defence.
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Source Layer: Signal
