Trump calls Zelenskyy 'tricky,' says Ukraine losing ground
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (president.gov.ua)
US President Donald Trump said Ukraine is suffering losses on the front line and is holding on only thanks to weapons supplies. He called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “tricky” and recalled a tense meeting in the Oval Office in an interview with Salem News Channel.
Trump on the front: 'They are losing territory'
Trump spoke bluntly about the battlefield situation: “They (Ukraine - ed.) are losing territory,” but clarified that Russia is also taking losses.
He noted that access to weapons is what allows Ukraine to fight: “They fight — because whether the equipment is great or less than great — they're able to fight,” he said.
Weapons via NATO
According to Trump, the supply scheme looks like this: the U.S. sells weapons to NATO, and the alliance then transfers them to Ukraine.
“We sell it to NATO, basically, and they give it out. I’ll say this: they (the Ukrainians - ed.) fight — because whether the equipment is great or less than great — they're able to fight,” he explained.
The reporter added that Ukrainian forces have proven more effective than any army in Europe.
“They are better than anyone in Europe in this fight,” he said. Trump acknowledged that Ukraine’s armed forces are better than those of any US allies in NATO.
Separately, Trump criticized former US President Joe Biden’s aid to Ukraine — in his view, transferring $350 billion in weapons and funds was “just ridiculous.”
Zelenskyy a 'tricky guy'
Speaking about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump called him a “tricky guy.” He said he generally gets along with him, but recalled one exception.
“I like Zelenskyy. I always sort of get along with him, other than for one moment in the White House, which I thought was a little aggressive on his behalf,” Trump said, referring to a meeting in the Oval Office in early 2025.
Frustration with NATO
Trump also spoke sharply about NATO allies.
In his view, the alliance did not support the United States when it was needed.
“When we needed NATO — they weren’t there for us,” he said.
The US president recalled that the United States had previously fully funded NATO and suggested he does not believe in the reliability of allies in the event of a major war.
“If we ever have a big one (war - ed.) or a bigger one — I don’t believe they’ll be there for us,” he added.
Meanwhile, a dispute is flaring up in Washington over weapons for Ukraine. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell accused the Pentagon of blocking $400 million in military aid to Ukraine.
According to him, the US Department of Defense is delaying the transfer of an already approved package.
We also wrote that the United States is preparing a new stage of pressure in negotiations on Ukraine.
