Zelensky hopes to remain “strong” in the face of Russian demands
Ukrainian President Folodimir Zellinski said he hoped that the “United States remains” strong “in the face of Russian demands to lift sanctions as a condition for a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
Moscow said that a naval truce announced on Tuesday to allow the safe passage of commercial ships, only once Western restrictions on fertilizer trade in Russia.
Zelinski was speaking during an interview with a committee in Paris with journalists from all over Europe.
In response to a question from the BBC if the United States is resisting Russian pressure, he said: “I hope that. God bless that, I will see.”
The White House said on Tuesday that Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea three days after separate talks with US officials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
But hours later, the Kremlin issued its own statement, including the list of conditions.
It includes its demands Canceling Western sanctions on financial institutions It is involved in agricultural trade and its access to the Swift international payment system – a network that facilitates safe financial messages.
Trump said that the US government was “looking for” Moscow’s request to lift restrictions, but the European Union said on Wednesday that it would not consider removing sanctions before the “unconditional” withdrawal of Russian forces from internationally recognized lands.
Speaking to the committee in Paris, Zelinski said he was “very grateful” to support the two parties from the United States, but he said he was afraid that some would be “under the influence of Russian novels.”
“We cannot agree to these novels,” he said.
When asked if US President Donald Trump had a closer relationship with him or Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelinski said he did not know.
“I don’t know – it’s difficult for me to say.” He said. “I don’t know what relationships he possesses, I don’t know the number of conversations he had.”
The Ukrainian leader was also asked about comments from the Trump Steve Wittakv’s envoy, who rejected Europe’s efforts to create a “alliance of those who wish” to support Ukraine In an interview last week.
In response, Zelensky will not be “hurriedly leading to conclusions.”
He said Witkoff, who has a background in real estate development, did not have this experience.
“As far as I know, he knows very well how to buy and sell real estate, but this is somewhat different,” he said.
