Zelenskyy Says He Harbors No Fear of Trump
In an interview with media conducted as renewed Russian bombardments plunged vast portions of Ukraine into darkness, Zelenskyy rejected narratives that his October Washington meeting with Trump was fraught with conflict, saying: "He didn't throw anything. I am sure." He added that the two had "normal, businesslike, and constructive" talks focused on Ukraine's defense needs and measures to weaken Moscow's capabilities.
"Everyone in the world is afraid of Trump. That's the truth," he said. Asked if that applied to him as well, he replied: "No … we are not enemies with America. We are friends. So why should we be afraid?"
Zelenskyy underscored his respect for American democratic processes, describing the US as "our strategic partner for many years, perhaps even decades and centuries."
The Ukrainian leader also credited King Charles with playing a quiet but influential role in improving relations between Kyiv and Washington, noting that Trump "respected" the British monarch and saw him as "very important." "His Majesty is very supportive of our people," Zelenskyy said.
Patriot air defense system
Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv wants to order 27 Patriot systems from US defense producers and urged European allies to lend their own in the meantime.
"It's never enough. It's enough when the war ends," he said, referring to Western military assistance.
The interview took place at the Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, where power briefly went out due to Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy grid. "These are our living conditions," Zelenskyy said with a grin. "It's normal. We have fluctuations with electricity in Kyiv, like everywhere else."
He accused Moscow of waging a "hybrid war against Europe" and warned that Russia might open a new front against another European country as the fighting in Ukraine continues.
The Ukrainian president reiterated that Russia's current offensive in the Donetsk province, including the assault on Pokrovsk, had brought Moscow no success despite heavy losses. "Putin is in a dead-end situation in terms of real success," he said.
Ukraine has endured consecutive days of nationwide blackouts after Russian drone and missile barrages devastated the country's electrical infrastructure, including strikes on two nuclear facilities in western Ukraine. State energy operator Centrenergo reported output had fallen to "zero" following the attacks.
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