Nothing private between me and Trump, Zelensky

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed his strained relationship with US President Donald Trump, clarifying that there’s nothing private between them, however warning that stress-free strain on Vladimir Putin will solely strengthen Russia.

Speaking to CNN from Kyiv on Thursday, October 21, Zelensky adopted a conciliatory tone following latest diplomatic tensions.

Ties between Washington and Kyiv grew strained after Trump introduced a deal to buy Russian gas, waived choose sanctions in opposition to Moscow, and noticed Starlink web service restricted for Ukrainian forces.

“My attitude to Putin is very clear. I think that if we lift sanctions, we will make him stronger,” Zelensky mentioned.

“It’s not something personal between me and President Trump, and of course I’m against any lifting of sanctions.”

Zelensky’s feedback adopted a three-hour assembly in St. Petersburg between US particular envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, throughout which Witkoff praised Putin for releasing 74-year-old American detainee Stephen Hubbard.

While Trump argued that waiving sanctions was essential to safe Hubbard’s launch and preserve delicate peace negotiations, Zelensky expressed deep skepticism concerning Moscow’s intentions.”Putin is playing, you know, he is a player,” Zelensky mentioned.

“It’s a pity because he plays with the lives of other people, and of course he doesn’t want (to stop the war). So what we want from our partners (is) not to give him a possibility to be stronger and break us.”

Addressing potential peace phrases, Zelensky indicated an openness to freezing present frontlines to cease the killing, however firmly rejected ceding Ukrainian territory or recognizing Russian occupation.

“Our land is very important because it’s about people. It’s not about kilometers,” he emphasised. “A lot of people died defending this land, defending our independence, our country. Nobody will recognize these territories, which are temporarily occupied, as Russian territories, and I think Russia understands it.”

Zelensky famous that whereas European allies have equipped some air protection missiles, Ukraine faces essential shortages and urgently requires higher missile programs alongside sustained sanctions in opposition to Russia.