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'Painful': Zelenskyy says Trump has taken Russia's side in Ukraine war

Ukrainian president says he feels betrayed as US president calls for his replacement and lifts sanctions on Russian diesel

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described it as 'painful' that US President Donald Trump has chosen Russia's side in the ongoing war, after Mr Trump said Mr Zelenskyy should be replaced and lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports.

In an interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored podcast published on Tuesday local time, Mr Zelenskyy said it was a "pity we are losing a [strong] partner".

"It's painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side," he told Piers Morgan.

Mr Zelenskyy said he was comfortable with Mr Trump being in the middle of Ukraine and Russia, but added: "If you are in the middle, you have to stay in the middle."

Asked if he felt betrayed by Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskyy said: "Really, yes … but it's a little bit more complicated than just my emotions or my feelings."

"We are not selling our country … it's not about business for us, it's just our life, and this is our country."

Mr Trump's rhetoric towards Ukraine and Mr Zelenskyy has hardened in recent weeks. The US president agreed to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports and also sought to impose an "energy ceasefire" on Ukraine and Russia over the weekend, a move that appeared to catch Mr Zelenskyy by surprise and one ignored by the Kremlin.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The shift in US policy under President Trump could fundamentally change the balance of power in the war, potentially reducing Western support for Ukraine.
  • Lifting sanctions on Russian diesel exports directly aids Russia's war economy, undermining previous international efforts to isolate Moscow.
  • The conflict's outcome affects global security, energy markets, and the principle that borders cannot be redrawn by force.

Background

The United States has been Kyiv's largest military and financial backer since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. President Trump has long been critical of the scale of US aid to Ukraine and has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The recent hardening of US policy, including the call for Mr Zelenskyy's replacement and the lifting of diesel sanctions, marks a significant departure from the previous administration's approach.

Key Perspectives

[Ukraine and President Zelenskyy]: Kyiv is alarmed by Washington's apparent tilt toward Moscow, seeing it as a betrayal that could embolden further Russian aggression. [The Trump administration]: The White House has not directly explained the policy shifts, but Mr Trump has previously argued for a negotiated settlement and questioned why the US should bear the burden of defending Ukraine. [The Kremlin]: Russia has shown little willingness to compromise, ignoring the proposed energy ceasefire and continuing its military campaign.

What to Watch

  • Whether the US follows through on additional sanctions relief or applies new pressure on Ukraine to negotiate.
  • Europe's reaction: European allies may step up their own support for Ukraine or distance themselves from US policy.
  • The impact on Ukraine's battlefield position and morale as military aid from the US potentially slows.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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