Wołodymyr Zelnski: Russia managed to influence some people in the White House team. Trump responds

President Ukraine Wołodymyr Zelanski Asked in the “Time” magazine, whether it was reasonable to enter the dispute with Trump in the oval office, which Ukrainians could assess as a failure of diplomacy, he answered with the question: “Why did Ukrainians defend themselves from the beginning (caused by Russia) war? because of dignity.”

– We don't consider ourselves superpower. Ukrainians are very emotional, and when it comes to our sense of dignity, freedom and democracy. Our people fight and unite – he noted in an article published on Monday.

He admitted that he hoped that the meeting in Washington would prove that USA They remain an ally of Ukraine. – At that moment (in me – ed.) The feeling that we are not allies – he added.

In the opinion of Zelanski, representatives of the Trump administration began to believe in the words of the Russian leader Vladimir Putineven if they were contradicted by the information of the American intelligence.

– I think Russia Some people were influenced in the White House team. The signal from Russia for the Americans was such that the Ukrainians do not want to end the war and that something should be done to force them to do so – he assessed.

In an interview with journalist Simon Shuster, the author of his biography entitled “Showman”, Zelanski did not hide his disappointment by the fact that Trump suggested Russia's return to G7. In his opinion, this would bear the only specific punishment that has affected Putin since the invasion of Ukraine – isolation. – It would be a big compromise. (…) Let's imagine freeing Hitler from his political insulation, “he said.

Shuster said that when Trump pressed for a quick ending wars in Ukraineit can be said that “all carrots are reserved for Russia, and Ukraine only gets a stick.” Zelanski commented on it with a smile and words: “If the carrot is poisoned, thanks to God.” – Maybe this is the insidiousness of this diplomacy (current US administration) – he added.

The Ukrainian leader expressed the hope that Trump is aware of Putin's weak points and that Russia's victory in this war would be a disaster not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole West, and especially for the USA. – That's why I don't believe in apocalyptic scenarios – he emphasized.

Asked what would happen if the Russian side violated the possible suspension of weapons, Zelanski replied that all Ukrainian cities along the front line would become like “Thousands of Berlins” during the Cold War – separated, divided and unable to survive, like “dead zones” on the map of Europe. He added that he does not think that Trump would like to be so remembered.

Read also: Meeting with Americans accelerated. Message from Zelanski

The US President himself was asked about Zelanski's opinion regarding the Kremlin's influence on the Kremlin's influence on Trump's surroundings.

– They are under such an influence to finish this thing, because Ukraine wants to end it. I think she must end it and Russia wants to end it – he said.

Accused of reproducing Russian propaganda, he has recently been, among others The main US negotiator in conversations with Russia Steve Witkoff, who during a recent interview revealed that Putin told him that he had Ukrainians surrounded in Kurski's region and that he would gladly give their lives if they hung up a white flag. American intelligence information contradicted that the Ukrainians would be surrounded, although both Trump and Witkoff suggested that they believed Putin's words.

On Monday, in defense of Witkoff – who also suggested that Russian territorial demands were justified, and Putin's ambitions limited to only a few regions of Ukraine – stood the vice president of JD Vance.

“Steve Witkoff is a great guy who does an amazing job. People who criticize him are furious that he is successful where they have failed for 40 years.

When asked about Witkoff's statements about the recognition of the legitimacy of the Russian territorial claims, the spokeswoman for the Tammy Bruce Department of State was not able to give a clear answer whether he expressed the position of administration in this matter.

– There are many conversations, but the vast majority of them cannot comment – said Bruce, adding that the main goal of the US is to achieve peace and save human life.

“Time” said that the conversation with Zelanski took place at the Presidential Palace in Kiev. In one of the rooms there is a single bed and paintings that the president chose personally and which are not museum exhibits.

“The image that hangs over his bed presents a Russian warship drowning in the Black Sea. Another depicts Ukrainian troops fighting in Russia.

The text is accompanied by a photo session depicting the President of Ukraine against the background of these works. Zelanski added that “each of these paintings talks about victory.”