Zelensky Pushes Back on Trump’s Comments, Calls for Security Guarantees
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to recent remarks made by Donald Trump, suggesting that the former U.S. leader is caught in a web of Russian misinformation. Trump had questioned Zelensky’s approval ratings, prompting the Ukrainian president to counter that such claims originate from Moscow.
“Unfortunately, President Trump, whom we respect as the leader of the American people, is surrounded by misleading narratives,” Zelensky stated during a press briefing in Kyiv.
Trump had suggested that Zelensky’s popularity had plummeted to just four percent, a claim the Ukrainian leader firmly rejected. “That number comes from Russia,” he said, pointing to a recent survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, which reported that 57% of Ukrainians still trust him, while 37% do not, with the remainder undecided.
Zelensky also addressed growing concerns over U.S. diplomatic actions, particularly following a meeting between American and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia—their first direct talks since the war began in 2022. He expressed unease over what he sees as Washington easing Moscow’s diplomatic isolation.
“I believe the United States has helped Putin break free from years of isolation,” Zelensky remarked, emphasizing that this shift does little to benefit Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, he reiterated his commitment to securing firm security assurances from Western allies, with hopes of reaching a ceasefire by next year.
“We need security guarantees now because our goal remains the same—we want to end the war this year,” he stated.
