In an exclusive interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that victory in the war against Russia will be achieved when Russian society recognizes the war's awfulness. Speaking to Luke Harding and Pippa Crerar in London, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the military situation but criticized Washington's shifting priorities under President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy on Trump and Putin
Zelenskyy carefully praised US diplomatic efforts despite a tense Oval Office encounter and Trump's willingness to meet Vladimir Putin. "I always said to President Trump that Putin is lying. He plays games with you, with the White House," Zelenskyy said. He acknowledged that Trump's second term has shifted focus from Ukraine to the Middle East, calling it "a pity" that Ukraine never received the same volume of support as US allies in the Gulf and Israel.
Prospects for ending the war
Zelenskyy described the military situation as the most promising for Kyiv in two and a half years. "We can't say Russia is losing this war. But we can say they are losing the initiative each day, day by day," he said. He defined victory as the moment when Russian society recognizes the war as a tragedy for themselves, not just for others. Long-range strikes, including drones over Moscow and St Petersburg, aim to make residents "feel" the war's impact.
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