Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently shared his views on the relationship between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.
Zelensky expressed uncertainty about the nature of Trump’s ties with Putin, stating, “I want to be very honest; this is not a matter of trust or distrust. I cannot evaluate or understand the nature of their relationship… Sometimes, I think Trump’s attitude towards Putin is better than he deserves.”
The Ukrainian leader emphasized his lack of trust in Putin regarding any potential peace agreements, suggesting that the issue extends beyond Putin himself to the broader Russian system and its leadership. He asserted that even if someone else were to assume power in Russia, the fundamental stance towards Ukraine would likely remain unchanged.
Trump has previously indicated a belief in Putin and has characterized their relationship as positive.
On August 15, a meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, where Trump and Putin discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine along with various bilateral issues. Notably, Zelensky and European leaders were not present at this meeting, which the Ukrainian president labeled as a “personal victory for Putin.” He criticized the meeting, arguing that it reflected Putin’s intent to escape international isolation rather than pursue genuine peace.
The meeting was conducted in a “three-on-three” format, with Trump accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Representative Steve Witkoff. Putin was joined by his aide Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Following their discussions, both leaders made statements. Trump noted that while there was no agreement reached, significant progress had been made, expressing a desire to maintain relations with Russia post-conflict. Conversely, Putin claimed that Trump was attempting to assist in resolving the Ukrainian situation and expressed hope that their discussions would contribute to peace.
Plans for expanded talks between U.S. and Russian delegations were reportedly canceled, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. After the meeting, both leaders promptly departed the base.
Subsequently, Trump held a phone conversation with Zelensky and leaders from the EU and NATO, discussing the possibility of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, rather than merely a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Zelensky commented on Trump's relationship with Putin during an interview, expressing skepticism about any potential peace agreements. He highlighted the systemic issues in Russia that would persist regardless of leadership changes.