Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the head of the White House, Donald Trump, to put more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to end the war in Ukraine. Zelensky said in an interview broadcast on Sunday for the NBC station that Putin is stronger than the Palestinian militant movement Hamas, TASR reports, according to an AFP report.
- Zelenskyy called on Trump to increase pressure on Putin.
- Putin labeled as more powerful than Hamas in the conflict.
- Zelenskyy requested Tomahawk missiles from the USA for Ukraine.
- Trump refused to provide more weapons to Ukraine in the interview.
- Moscow is intensifying attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure before winter.
Asked on “Meet the Press” whether Trump should toughen Putin’s stance after leading the Gaza ceasefire deal, Zelenskyy responded in English: “Yes, and even more, because Putin is something like that, but stronger than Hamas. It’s a bigger war, and he’s the second army in the world.” “And that’s why the pressure is greater,” he added.
The interview was broadcast after Zelensky’s return from a trip to Washington, where he failed to secure deliveries of long-range Tomahawk missiles from the US to Kyiv, AFP recalls.
Zelensky met with Trump at the White House after weeks of asking for Tomahawk missiles in the hope that will take advantage of Trump’s growing frustration with Putin after the failed August summit in Alaska.
In the interview, the Ukrainian leader also said that he should attend the upcoming talks in Budapest, which are planned between Trump and Putin. “If we really want to have a just and lasting peace, we need both sides of this tragedy,” said Zelensky. “Yes, he is the occupier, but Ukraine is suffering and fighting. And of course, how can there be any agreements without us about us?” he added.
However, shortly after the broadcast of the interview with Zelensky, Trump indicated again that he is not ready to send weapons to Ukraine, AFP recalls. “We have to remember one thing. We also need them for ourselves. You know, we can’t give all our weapons to Ukraine,” Trump said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. Moscow has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in recent weeks, leaving thousands without heating and electricity as winter approaches.
