Zelensky Says Trump Must Change His Approach to Putin to Help End the War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that US President Donald Trump can help end Russia's war against Ukraine, but only if he changes his attitude toward Russian leader Vladimir Putin. In Zelensky's view, the same rhetoric that Trump uses in talks with Ukraine should be directed at Putin. The question matters because the US position largely affects whether the war can be resolved through diplomacy.

In an interview for Steven Bartlett's podcast "The Diary of a CEO", Zelensky said he was convinced Trump could get Putin to sit down at the negotiating table, according to the Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda.

Sanctions and oil refineries

The Ukrainian leader reminded listeners that sanctions backed by the US Congress could be imposed on Russia. He admitted he did not know why Trump was not using this option, or whether the reason was a special relationship with Putin.

Zelensky also rejected Trump's accusation that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are driving up diesel prices in the United States. He stressed that the attacks are a response to Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

A possible agreement

The situation could change if both sides agreed to stop attacking energy facilities. According to Zelensky, Putin does not agree to this, while Trump places the blame for the failure on the Ukrainian president. Zelensky described his relationship with Trump as good, but said he considers such accusations unfair.