Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to US TV channel Fox News after an argument with US President Donald Trump.
On his relationship with Donald Trump
When asked whether he intended to apologise to Trump, Mr Zelensky said he did not feel guilty.
“I respect the President and I respect the American people. I don’t think we did anything wrong”, he said.
Asked if he regrets the confrontation with Mr Trump and Mr Vance, the Ukrainian leader admitted that “it was not good”. However, he also stressed that his relationship with Trump should be higher than that between the two presidents because “this is a question of relations between our peoples”.
Asked whether he was now ready to return to the White House, Mr Zelensky replied: “No”.
On American aid to Ukraine
“I am grateful to Mr Trump and the people of the United States for their help. You helped us to survive. Without the support of the United States it will be difficult for us. That is why I am here”, said Mr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian President noted that he did not want to lose “our good partnership with the United States”, but at the same time complained about the lack of new military aid packages.
“With all due respect, we do not see sufficient new support from the United States”, he said.
On the desire for peace and security guarantees
The Ukrainian President stressed that Ukrainians need a lasting peace, not a ceasefire violated by Russia.
“No one wants the war to end as strongly as we Ukrainians do. However, [peace] is not just the absence of war”, said Mr Zelensky, quoting US President Ronald Reagan, who is traditionally respected by Republicans.
The Ukrainian leader noted that he cannot simply order Ukrainians to stop resisting an aggressor.
“Nobody will stop because everybody is afraid that Putin will come back tomorrow”, he said.
According to Mr Zelensky, he is open to diplomacy with Russia if the United States gives Ukraine security guarantees.
“The Russians came to our house, everybody saw on video what they did. To say that Putin is a great man? That’s without us. Of course, no one will forget it, but we want it to happen again. That is why we need security guarantees”, he said.
The President noted that Ukraine is still ready to sign the mineral resources agreement. In his view, this agreement could be a first step towards American guarantees.
At the same time, Mr Zelensky stressed that Europe also needs certain security guarantees from the United States in order to be able to deploy a European peacekeeping force after the end of the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s dispute with Trump
As UNIAN reported, this evening President Zelensky met with his American counterpart Donald Trump and his Vice President Vance at the White House. The conversation was initially cordial, with Mr Trump even praising the Ukrainian leader and the Ukrainian troops.
However, Mr Vance later intervened, demanding that Mr Zelensky thank him for America’s help, and insisting that Ukraine must accept the conditions imposed on it. A verbal confrontation ensued, after which Zelensky left the White House early. According to media reports, Mr Trump expelled him.
