Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Fox News he does not trust Vladimir Putin and said Putin "doesn't want success for Ukraine," contradicting President Trump's remark that "Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed." The exchange followed a joint press conference where Trump suggested Russia would help with reconstruction. Zelensky also said Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators are about 90% aligned on a 20-point peace framework.
Zelensky Says Putin 'Doesn't Want Ukraine To Succeed,' Directly Contradicting Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Fox News that he does not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin and said Putin "doesn't want success for Ukraine," a direct contradiction of comments made earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I don't trust Putin. And he doesn't want success for Ukraine, really, he doesn't want — he can say it. I believe that he can say such words to President Trump. I believe in it, that he can say it, but it's not true," Zelensky told Fox News's Bret Baier on Special Report in an interview that aired Monday.
Zelensky added that Putin prefers fewer punitive measures from Washington: "Really, he doesn't want to have — from President Trump — more pressure with sanctions and etcetera."
The remarks followed a joint press conference after a meeting between Zelensky and Trump. When a Reuters reporter asked whether the leaders had discussed what role Russia would play in any future reconstruction of Ukraine, President Trump replied:
"They're going to be helping, Russia is going to be helping. Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed."
After Trump's comment, Zelensky appeared briefly puzzled on camera, underscoring the public divergence between the two leaders' assessments of Moscow's intentions.
Negotiations And The Peace Framework
Also at the press conference, Zelensky said Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators had made notable progress on a proposed 20-point peace framework. "We discussed all the aspects of the peace framework … [the] 20-point peace plan [is] 90 percent agreed," he said alongside President Trump.
Throughout Trump's first year back in office, his administration has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with limited success. The two presidents have met multiple times, including a high-profile February meeting marked by visible tension.
Analysts say the public disagreement highlights the complex diplomacy surrounding Ukraine's future and the differing approaches among world leaders and negotiators about Moscow's role in any reconstruction or peace settlement.
