Nothing personal between me and Trump, Zelensky tells CNN
Zelensky says dispute with Trump is not personal as Ukraine presses case for continued pressure on Russia
Goldlaner.com – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to lower the temperature in Kyiv’s strained relationship with Donald Trump while arguing that easing pressure on Moscow would embolden Vladimir Putin and prolong the war.
Speaking from Kyiv on Thursday, Zelensky said his differences with the US president should not be seen as a personal feud. But he made clear that he opposes any decision to soften sanctions against Russia, particularly while fighting continues and Ukraine remains under attack.
“My attitude to Putin is very clear. I think that if we lift sanctions, we will make him stronger.”
Zelensky said the disagreement was not about individual relationships. Instead, he framed it as a question of whether Ukraine’s partners will deny Russia the resources and leverage it needs to continue the conflict.
“It’s not something personal between me and President Trump, and of course I’m against of any lifting of sanctions.”
Pressure on ties between Kyiv and Washington
Relations between the United States and Ukraine have come under fresh strain in recent weeks. Zelensky had said Trump was on the “wrong side of history” after the US president announced an agreement to purchase Russian fuel, a move that disrupted wider efforts to isolate Moscow economically.
Trump also waived some sanctions targeting Russia, prompting objections from members of his own party. At the same time, Ukrainian forces experienced limits on access to the Starlink communications service operated by Elon Musk, adding to concerns in Kyiv over support for its military operations.
Zelensky’s comments came as Trump’s representatives pursue a new diplomatic effort to end the war, now in its fourth and a half year. US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin for three hours in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, after meeting Zelensky in Oslo the previous day.
Witkoff drew controversy when he described Putin as a “humanitarian” in connection with the release of 74-year-old American prisoner Stephen Hubbard. Trump defended his approach, arguing that harsher sanctions could have kept Hubbard behind bars and harmed negotiations over Ukraine.
“When you’re close to a deal and you have delicate negotiations, you don’t put sanctions on.”
Trump said his administration was closer than ever to an agreement to end the war. Yet the diplomatic activity unfolded alongside another major Russian assault on Ukraine.
Russian attacks continue as negotiations are discussed
Between Wednesday evening and early Thursday, Russia launched a series of strikes that hit Kyiv. One person was killed and at least 22 others were injured, emergency services said. The overnight operation involved large numbers of drones and ballistic missiles.
The attacks underscored the central challenge facing any new peace initiative: diplomacy is being discussed while Russia continues major military operations against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Zelensky said his Oslo meeting with Witkoff had been constructive, but he remained doubtful that Putin genuinely intends to stop the war. Following Witkoff’s visit, Putin agreed to talks in November, though few concrete details were made public.
“Putin is playing, you know, he is a player,” Zelensky said. “It’s a pity because he plays with the lives of other people.”
For Kyiv, the concern is not simply whether talks can begin, but whether Russia might use negotiations to gain time, weaken sanctions, or improve its position on the battlefield. Zelensky urged Ukraine’s partners not to give Putin an opportunity to strengthen Russia’s position or undermine Ukraine’s defenses.
Territory remains the hardest issue
The future of the Donbas region remains at the center of the diplomatic debate. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the immediate struggle was focused on what would happen in the parts of Donbas still at issue, noting that possible approaches to bridge differences had been raised.
Russia controls most of the eastern region and has continued to insist on broad territorial demands. Zelensky indicated that Ukraine could consider freezing the existing front lines as part of a process to halt violence and begin serious discussions.
“Ceasefire, stop the killing, sit and speak.”
That possibility does not extend to surrendering areas Ukraine still controls or recognizing occupied territory as Russian. Zelensky emphasized that the question is not merely one of maps or distances, but of the people who live there and those who died defending Ukraine’s independence.
“Our land is very important because it’s about people. It’s not about kilometers.”
He said Ukraine would not recognize temporarily occupied territories as Russian territory, regardless of the political pressure surrounding negotiations.
“Nobody will recognize these territories, which are temporarily occupied, as Russian territories.”
The remarks set out Kyiv’s basic position as talks gather momentum: Ukraine may be willing to explore a ceasefire that stops the killing, but it will resist any settlement that formally rewards occupation. Zelensky’s appeal to Washington is similarly direct — diplomatic engagement can continue, but he believes it must be paired with measures that prevent Russia from emerging stronger.
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