Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Vladimir Putin is attempting to leverage the diplomatic efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump to overcome Russia’s international isolation and evade new sanctions. The head of state shared this in an interview with the British television channel Sky News.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Trump and Putin Meeting: Zelensky’s Reaction
During the conversation, Zelensky was asked about the recent summit between Trump and Putin that took place in Alaska in August. The President of Ukraine expressed his belief that Ukraine’s participation in this meeting could have changed its outcomes. In his opinion, Trump effectively opened the door for Putin to return to the international stage.
“He should have failed in this war and stopped. But instead, he received de-isolation. He got photographs with President Trump. He got a public dialogue, and I think this opens the door for Putin to some other summits and formats,… and I don’t think he paid anything for it,” Zelensky noted.
The President emphasized that the Russian leader must be held accountable for initiating the war and attempting to escape isolation. Zelensky stressed that “it is very important not to give Mr. Putin this space, otherwise he will not feel obliged to stop the war.”
Trilateral Meeting and Sanction Policy
Zelensky is convinced that Putin only understands the language of strength, so Western countries must demonstrate resolve by tightening sanctions. U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed confidence on September 14 that a trilateral meeting involving him, Zelensky, and Putin would take place. Trump noted that “the hatred between Zelensky and Putin is unfathomable,” so he will likely be compelled to participate in the negotiations.
During a conversation with journalists, Trump reported that over eight thousand soldiers have died in the past week during the war between Ukraine and Russia, including more from the Russian side. He also highlighted the difficulty of resolving the conflict due to the deep animosity between the leaders of the two countries.
Furthermore, the U.S. President announced his readiness to impose “serious sanctions” against Russia, provided that all NATO countries support such a decision and cease purchasing Russian oil. Trump also suggested that alliance countries impose tariffs of 50-100% on imports from China. President Zelensky supported this position, urging partners to “stop looking for excuses” regarding sanctions on Russian oil.
The Kremlin noted that currently, a meeting of the leaders of Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine is not planned.