Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed ABC News on Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has little interest in a cease-fire and is as a substitute looking for Ukraine’s “total defeat.”
He added that solely robust, sustained strain from the United States and Europe might drive Putin to retreat.
“Then they will stop the war,” he mentioned.
During the interview, Zelenskyy burdened the significance of U.S. assist, whereas delicately countering President Donald Trump’s earlier remark to the broadcaster that he believes Putin needs peace.
“With all due respect to President Trump, of course – I think it’s just his personal opinion,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “I feel strongly that Putin does not want to finish this war. In his mind, it’s impossible to end this war without the total defeat of Ukraine.”
“Trust me, we understand the Russians much better – the mentality of the Russians – than Americans do. We have been neighbors for ages,” he mentioned.
The Ukrainian chief was cautious to not criticize Trump straight, noting that their relationship, after a strained assembly within the Oval Office earlier this 12 months, had improved, notably following a one-on-one dialog on the Vatican in April, on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral.
“Fifteen minutes in the Vatican, tete-a-tete, one-to-one … did more to establish trust than the meeting with many people present in the Oval Office,” Zelenskyy mentioned, including that he “wants to believe that we have a normal, equal, professional relationship” with the United States.
Source: www.dailysabah.com