Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky said this week that President Trump recognized “Russia is an invader” in Europe’s most bloody conflict since World War II and wanted to use his “strength” against Moscow.
“We think [the] As a powerful strategic partner with influence, and we really want to have peace through our strength. ” Zelensky told Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro“It will be useful in Russia, so they will become an army towards Russia, as they are invaders.”
“I highly respect the fact that he is looking for [peace]. That’s his approach,” he added, referring to Trump. “But you shouldn’t say that Ukraine has begun this war. I think it’s painful for our people to hear. This is why we responded in this way.”
The beginning of Shapiro’s two-part interview with Ukrainian President is Released on ThursdayZelensky’s non-starter when the Trump administration pressured Kiev to sign on to a peace proposal that included recognizing the Crimea as Russia’s territory.
Shapiro is one of the prominent conservative voices who advocate for the US’s support of continuing to support Ukraine in the war to dodge Russian invaders.
The “Ben Shapiro Show” host opened on February 28th by asking Zelensky about the elliptical office screaming with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
“It didn’t help Ukraine. It didn’t help the US,” Zelensky recalled. “I think we’ll have a more fruitful meeting with President Trump, but you have to understand that Ukraine… [is] He defends Russian crimes and believes Russia is the enemy. ”
“I believe America is truly a real friend.”
Just before the interview was announced, Trump made rare criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin about overnight missiles and rare criticisms of the drone strike against Kiev, which killed at least 12 people. Two children from the same familyMore than 90 people were injured.
“I’m not happy with the Russian strike in Kiev,” Trump said. I was furious at the social post of truth. “Not necessary, very bad timing. Vladimir, stop! 5,000 soldiers are dying a week. Let’s close the peace deal!”
Before the post, Trump had told Russia without evidence as a party ready for peace, despite providing no evidence. He also consistently issued punishments and asked Ukraine’s concessions – not following any of his threats of further sanctioning Moscow or providing more assistance.
“Where is the “strength” of “power”? “One former official from Trump’s first administration told the Post. “He’s strong in Ukraine, but is there nothing for Russia?”
“The Russian ‘conspiracy’ was a Trump I hoax,” another added. “But Trump 2.0, I’m not sure.”
One of the frequent complaints about Ukraine among conservatives has been the billions of military aid sent to war-torn countries since February 2022.
Zelensky estimated that Ukraine received approximately $100 billion worth of weapons and other security support from the United States.
The Ukrainian leaders stressed that aid was subject to testing from the US and were properly assigned and argued that Ukraine was conducting its own audit.
“I have my own internal audit and how clearly my country is documented [much] Zelensky explained.
“We saw at the start of the war that Russia was trying to undermine the aid and support that comes from the United States. They wanted to undermine this through other tools and through fake news,” he said. “That’s why we once said we were open. Please send an inspector.”
Zelensky also stressed that there was no evidence that the US arms package sent to Ukraine had been caught up in “overseas,” as some skeptics have suggested.
He also argued that aid would be beneficial to the US military preparations and that Ukraine shares everything it has learned about fighting with the US and weapons development.
“US [has] I received full and open information about the drone. This is a new weapon that was not available in the US “before the war,” Zelensky explained. “Now America [has] I’ve had all this experience, all the developments. ”
During the war, the Pentagon increased its production of critical ammunition. It rapidly declined during early efforts to support Ukraine, and defense experts learned lessons about fighting on the “ultra-transparent” modern battlefield.
Beyond these advances, Zelensky argued that Ukraine has become something of a “living shield” for NATO against Russia, ensuring that the US or Western Europe does not need to send combat forces against Moscow.
“The Russians always want and want the destruction of the United States,” he warned. “We were born in the Soviet Union. We were all raised in schools. This is the policy of the Soviet Union. We are fighting for your own rights.”
Part 2 of Shapiro’s interview with Zelensky will be released on Friday.
