The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in an interview with The Guardian that he is not afraid of Donald Trump, unlike many Western leaders who, he says, feel uneasy about the return of the former American president to the world stage.
He rejected claims that the last meeting with Trump in Washington was tense, and emphasized that there is a “business and constructive” relationship between them.
He also added that the British King Charles played an important role in strengthening communication with Trump, describing him as “sincerely sympathetic to Ukraine.”
Zelenskiy was speaking after heavy Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which caused massive blackouts across the country on Sunday.
The Ukrainian leader rejected allegations that Trump “threw away the cards of the front” during the October meeting and ignored Kiev’s pleas for US Tomahawk cruise missiles.
“He didn’t reject anything, I’m absolutely sure of that,” Zelenskiy said, stressing that the conversation was serious and that relations remained correct.
He recalled that the Ukrainian delegation then presented three key demands – the delivery of weapons, the tightening of sanctions against Moscow and the reduction of Russia’s ability to bomb Ukraine, in order to force Vladimir Putin to negotiate.
Speaking in Kiev, Zelenskiy said that “everyone in the world” feels afraid of Trump, but that he personally has no reason to do so.
“No, we are not America’s enemies. We are friends. Why should we be afraid?” he ordered.
He added that he respects the choice of the American people:
“Trump was elected by his people, just as I am elected by mine. The US has been our strategic partner for many years – perhaps centuries,” he stated.
Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine and the USA are connected by common values and the fight against Russia’s imperialist ambitions.
(Vijesti.ba)
