President Zelensky Accuses Russia of Intentional Disinformation and Lying, Calls on Trump to Recognize Kremlin’s Game
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a high-profile statement regarding the political situation surrounding the war in Ukraine in an extensive interview with the international network Axel Springer Global Reporters, which includes publications such as Politico and "European Pravda." The main topic was his belief that the United States has both the opportunity and the leverage to end Russian aggression, but American politicians must understand Russia’s true intentions and recognize the game being played by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky unequivocally stated that Russia, in his words, is actively spreading false information and attempting to discredit the United States, especially former President Donald Trump. "Russia is simply lying to Trump. This is yet another attempt to disinform and undermine any understanding of the situation around Ukraine," he emphasized. According to the Ukrainian leader, most world leaders share his views on Moscow’s behavior, and he sincerely hopes that the U.S. can see the true picture and make the right decision in the face of manipulations from Russia. "The main thing is for Washington to correctly recognize the real scenario and not fall into disinformation traps. This is no longer just a matter of supporting Ukraine — it’s a matter of the integrity and security of the global order," Zelensky stressed. He added that the U.S. has the power and the leverage to stop the war, as Putin, in his words, "understands nothing but strength." Therefore, the Ukrainian president is convinced that the U.S. must take the right step, as the war in Ukraine could end either with the victory of democracy and a just world overall — or with a defeat for democratic values if Washington abandons Ukraine’s fight. Zelensky emphasized that Trump has the actual power to change the situation in favor of peace, and he pointed out that, in his view, Russia is insincere about ending the war. "Putin is guided only by strength and self-interest, not by a search for peace. Therefore, the only scenario he sees is the West leaving Ukraine alone, while Russia remains the winner," the Ukrainian leader said. He believes this would be "an ideal scenario" for the Kremlin, as it would allow Russia to regain control of occupied territories and reduce international pressure. Regarding the breakdown in relations and diplomatic misunderstandings between the U.S. and Ukraine, particularly the tense situation in the Oval Office in February this year, Zelensky noted that this incident should not have spoiled the strategic partnership. "I don’t believe that this accidental conflict with the American administration has brought us closer. That is in the past. The main thing is to do everything possible so that the next meeting at the White House is mutually beneficial and consolidates our shared pursuit of peace and stability," he stated. Referring to the resumption of dialogue with Washington, Zelensky noted that cooperation between Ukraine and the U.S. is currently progressing constructively. He recalled positive experiences from personal meetings, including the April meetings of the Ukrainian and U.S. presidents in the Vatican, which took place in a friendly atmosphere and laid the foundation for further cooperation. According to him, the level of trust between the two countries is increasing, and currently, it involves joint work in security, economics, and diplomacy. The background of this publication is Donald Trump’s recent statement about the status of the Russia-Ukraine war and the role Ukraine and Russia might play. In his public remarks, the former president called for a controversial approach to conflict resolution, hinting that the countries should "allow" Ukraine and Russia to "fight" for some time, so that eventually, it would be easier to end the conflict. Trump compared the Russia-Ukraine war to a fight between two young children in a park — they hate each other and fight, so it is better to let them fight for a while before separating them. Zelensky responded very harshly, stating that Putin is not a child but a real murderer, and urged the global community not to illustrate this conflict with such a metaphor. "Putin is a terrorist and murderer, not a child to be simply left on a playground," he emphasized, underscoring that responsibility for the brutal war crimes in Ukraine lies with the Russian regime itself, not with individuals who can conditionally be compared to children. In general, Zelensky once again called on the U.S. and the global community to recognize the true game of the Kremlin and avoid falling into its traps, because, in his words, only strong and united Western pressure can force Russia to cease its aggression and return to the negotiating table on terms of justice and security for Ukraine.