As previously reported by “Judicial and Legal Newspaper”, on February 28, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. During their meeting, a dispute arose regarding when and under what conditions the ceasefire should take place.
Later, Zelensky gave an exclusive interview to American channel Fox News.
Main points from the interview:
- Grateful to the Americans. U.S. assistance has been critically important since the beginning of the war.
- If anyone wants to verify the funds sent to us, we are open to that.
- I respect Trump and I respect the American people. But I am not sure we have done anything wrong. The Trump administration needs to hear Ukraine's position.
- As Reagan said, “peace is not the absence of war.” That’s why I said that the ceasefire will be violated.
- We are strategic partners. In these difficult times, we must be honest.
- I would not want to lose our biggest partner.
- If you had the chance to return to the White House right now, would you?
Zelensky: No.
- Only Ukrainians choose the President of Ukraine — a response to Republican Lindsey Graham, who urged Zelensky to resign.
- I don’t know if today’s situation at the White House was planned.
- I think we need to discuss something without the media. We are very close partners with the U.S.
- President Trump wants to end this war, but no one wants it more than we do. In Ukraine, we are fighting for freedom, for our lives.
- I cannot tell my people: “Stop.” No one will stop because everyone is afraid that tomorrow Putin will return.
- I cannot change our attitude towards Russians because they are murderers. That does not mean we do not want peace.
- I am grateful to Trump for wanting to end the war, but Putin has violated the ceasefire 25 times.
- Ukrainians just want to hear that the U.S. is on our side, not on Russia's side.
- It is very important to stop Putin. I heard from President Trump that he will stop the war, and I hope it will be together with our European allies.
- We are ready to sign an agreement on minerals, but that is not enough.
- We are ready for peace. But we must be in a strong position. We need guarantees.
- My relationship with Trump can be salvaged. Historically, the relationships between our peoples are strong. Americans helped save Ukrainians.