Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed that Ukrainian officials understand Russian President Vladimir Putin “a lot better” than President Trump does.
“I believe it’s just his personal take regarding President Trump,” Zelensky mentioned in an interview with Martha Raddatz on ABC’s “This Week,” which aired Sunday morning.
“Trust me, we have a deeper grasp of the Russians, their mentality, more so than the Americans do. I definitely know that Putin isn’t keen on ending the war,” he added.
Zelensky also took issue with Trump’s remarks made in the Oval Office where he compared the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“We’re not just playing around with the Russians like two kids. Putin isn’t a child,” Zelensky stated. “So comparisons or saying, ‘Let us fight for a while,’ aren’t appropriate.”
“And this isn’t just about President Trump,” he continued. “No one living thousands of miles away can truly understand the suffering. Even parents in Ukraine can’t fully grasp what it’s like for someone who has lost a child.”
In a recent development, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russian airbases last weekend, claiming to have destroyed numerous bombers. The drone had been smuggled into Russia via an 18-wheeler truck, parked close to a military installation, and was activated remotely prior to the strike.
After speaking with Putin on Wednesday, Trump informed the media that Russia plans to respond to the drone attack; the following day, a drone strike from Russia resulted in the deaths of five people in Ukraine.
Raddatz inquired whether Zelensky thinks Trump believes Russia is prevailing in the war.
“I think he publicly claims that, and I know he has conveyed this to some people around him. I’ve repeated it a lot, and I’ve said that wouldn’t be true,” Zelensky responded.
He further emphasized that Trump “must” implement sanctions on Russia.
This week, Trump remarked that he hadn’t seen the Russian sanctions bill co-sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and over 80 other senators, though Graham noted it wouldn’t proceed without Trump’s approval.
Both parties in the Senate are eager for a go-ahead on this matter.
Senate Majority Leader John Tune (R-D.) told reporters that the bill might be presented during the upcoming four-week legislative session.
“[The White House is] hopeful that they can reach some kind of agreement, but there seems to be significant interest in moving this forward in the Senate,” he said.
“I think there’s a genuine desire to demonstrate that we need to engage with Russia. I believe that would have a substantial impact.”
Oka has reached out to the White House for comments.
