‘This is not the right side of history’: Zelenskyi comments on Trump's stance regarding Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Photo source: Facebook / Volodymyr Zelenskyi
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi states that Ukraine does not object to US President Donald Trump mediating the Russo-Ukrainian war, but stresses that the American leader must not side with Russia.
The head of state shared his position in an interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored program, Rubryka reports.
"If you're in the middle, you have to stay in the middle. Not on the wrong side. I think Trump's advisers are wrong. I don't know who is pushing him to the wrong side, but this is not the right side of history," the Ukrainian President notes.
During the interview, Morgan asked Zelenskyi whether he felt "betrayed" by the US deal with Russia on diesel fuel and the "energy truce" announced by Trump. The president responded affirmatively.
"Indeed, yes—frankly speaking, between us. But the situation is somewhat more complex than just my emotions or feelings. It does not depend on me alone; our country must survive," Zelenskyi says.
The interviewer separately asked about the Ukrainian president's reaction to the agreement between US leader Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on exporting Russian diesel fuel.
"It is a pity that we are losing a strong partner. That is my opinion," Zelenskyi responds.
When asked to clarify whether he believes Ukraine is losing the United States as a partner, the president again answered affirmatively, emphasizing that Ukraine's actions are not the cause.
"Yes. But not because of us. We cannot afford to be weak, otherwise we will not survive. We are not selling our country," Zelenskyi declares.
He also explains why Ukraine cannot view the situation strictly through the lens of political or economic deals, emphasizing that the conflict concerns the country's very existence, family safety, and children's futures.
"Listen, friends, this is not a business deal for us. This is our life. This is our country, our body, our home, and our children. It is deeply important to us, which is why it hurts when President Trump takes the other side—not ours," the head of state stresses.
Background
On October 9, US President Donald Trump stated that he spoke by telephone with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and agreed on Russian diesel fuel supplies to the US and global markets. The American leader called the agreement beneficial for the US and expressed gratitude to Vladimir Putin.
Following talks between Ukrainian and American delegations in Miami, US President Donald Trump announced an energy ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine, effective October 11, urging both sides not to violate it.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted in an interview with Axios that Trump's statement came as "news" to him, adding that if Russia agrees to an energy ceasefire, Ukraine will comply as well.
On October 12, reports confirmed that Ukraine refrained from striking energy facilities inside Russia following Donald Trump's energy ceasefire announcement, while Russian forces continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure and gas stations.
