Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a firm message for Donald Trump – you have the power to stop Vladimir Putin, and now is the time to act.
Meeting with Zelenskyy in Kyiv before the US president’s state visit to Britain, he expressed frustration at the lack of action from Western powers despite Russia’s escalation of attacks on Ukraine.
Asked about the summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska, Zelenskyy strongly stated that Putin is not being held accountable for his actions.
“He should have faced consequences for this war and stop. Instead, he received de-isolation,” he said.
“He definitely wants to deceive the US. He is doing everything to avoid sanctions and prevent the US and Trump from imposing them on him.”
Zelenskyy believes Trump’s reluctance to pressure Putin is due to concerns about jeopardizing efforts to end the war.
However, the Ukrainian leader argues against this approach: “He understands force. That’s his language – just like Russian, his mother tongue.”
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Zelenskyy also argues that Trump’s call for Europe to increase economic pressure – by halting Russian energy purchases and imposing tariffs on major buyers like China and India – is crucial but not sufficient.
Trump has urged EU countries to end Russian oil and gas purchases before he will consider sanctions on Russia.
“I believe the US is strong enough on its own to take action,” Zelenskyy said.
“They can initiate quicker actions, but what is needed now is a strong sanctions package from the US.”
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/face-to-face-with-zelenskyy-his-frustration-with-trump-was-clear-13431949
