In an interview with 60 Minutes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was critical of President Donald Trump. He said Russian talking points were winning over the White House and called on Trump to visit Ukraine.
“I believe, sadly, Russian narratives are prevailing in the US. How is it possible to witness our losses and our suffering, to understand what the Russians are doing, and to still believe that they are not the aggressors, that they did not start this war?” Zelensky told host Scott Pelley. “This speaks to the enormous influence of Russia’s information policy on America, on US politics, and US politicians.”
Trump was critical of Zelensky after returning to the White House in January, even calling him a “dictator,” and said the Ukrainian leader was a barrier to ending the war in his country. The tensions between Zelensky and Trump exploded during an infamous Oval Office sit-down in February.
Following that meeting, Zelensky was ordered out of the White House, and Trump did not sign a proposed mineral agreement with Kiev. Additionally, Trump temporarily paused US military and intelligence support for Ukraine.
Weighing in on that Oval Office dispute, Zelensky told 60 Minutes that Vice President JD Vance’s perspective was a notable change from the Joe Biden administration. “It’s a shift in tone, a shift in reality, really yes, a shift in reality, and I don’t want to engage in the altered reality that is being presented to me.” He added, “First and foremost, we did not launch an attack [to start the war]. It seems to me that the vice president is somehow justifying Putin’s actions.”
In recent weeks, it appeared the Trump administration was turning its frustrations towards Moscow. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have warned the Russians that they must engage in a ceasefire within weeks. Also, Kiev has reentered into talks with Washington on a deal to repay the US for aid using the profits from Ukrainian natural resources.
Zelensky noted the change in Trump’s attitude during the interview. “But in the Trump administration, US aid has all but stopped. Last month the White House announced partial ceasefires, but they haven’t happened. And now, Trump says he is losing patience with Putin,” he explained.
Zelensky went on to suggest that Trump’s perspective on providing weapons and other support for Ukraine may change if he visited the country.
“We want you to come, and I think to come and to see. You think you understand what’s going on here. Okay, we respect your position. You understand.” He continued, “But, please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead. Come, look, and then let’s – let’s move with a plan [for] how to finish the war. You will understand with whom you have a deal.”
The Ukrainian leader went on to admit if he could not sway Trump to provide more support his country would suffer massive losses. “I think without the United States we will suffer great losses. Human and territorial. So, I wouldn’t like to consider that. But this is our destiny, our land, our life. One way or another, we will end this war,” he told Pelley.
Zelensky went on to describe an international force led by Washington that would protect Ukraine from Russia, saying “This could mean a [force] protecting airspace and providing air defense, which may consist of airplanes rather than boots on the ground.”
