Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statements about Ukraine and his 4% rating: Key points

Contents

• On the Partners' summit on February 24
• On the results of visits to Munich, the UAE, and Türkiye
• On Trump's remarks about the '4% rating'
• On US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia
• On US and European aid
• On the rare earth metals agreement
• On security guarantees
• On sanctions against Poroshenko
• On trust and the trip to the front with Kellogg
• On the shortage of Patriot missiles

On the Partners' summit on February 24

At the beginning of his press conference, the president emphasized the need to rely on the allied stance of the EU, Europe as a whole, and the United States in supporting Ukraine in this unjust war. He noted that Kyiv is working to ensure this support remains strong.

He also spoke about the summit that Ukraine plans to hold with its partners on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

"We will also organize a meeting here. It will take place on February 24. Some will attend in person, others online. I think we will try to work on this quickly. It will also be a meeting of leaders. I don’t know yet who will join online, but I believe there will be a strong representation," Zelenskyy stated.

On the results of visits to Munich, the UAE, and Türkiye

He noted that after the Munich conference, Ukraine reached certain agreements on defense packages and increasing aid from some countries.

"We also had meetings in the UAE. There, we have good agreements. Emirati businesses will come to Ukraine. A major meeting is now being organized. I believe the Emirates will invest seriously in Ukraine, and Ukraine sees opportunities for cooperation. They recognize our technologies and agriculture, while we see their artificial intelligence and educational programs. We will work together," Zelenskyy said.

He also mentioned his visit to Türkiye, emphasizing that the key issue is whether it is ready to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

"We will work on this. I see a positive outlook. This is important for us. Because, maybe it's not entirely appropriate to say, but Ukraine and Türkiye have the strongest armies in Europe. That is a fact today. So, it is crucial for us to maintain our ties," the head of state emphasized.

On Trump's remarks about the '4% rating'

He also responded to US President Donald Trump's statement about a 4% approval rating among Ukrainians.

"I never comment on ratings. Commenting on ratings means talking about political competition and elections. We don’t have that. If someone wants to replace me right now, it won’t work just like that," Zelenskyy emphasized.

He pointed out that this is disinformation coming from Russia.

"Since we're talking about 4%, we have seen this disinformation. We have seen that it originates from Russia. We have evidence that these figures are being discussed between America and Russia. In the next week or two, we will request approval ratings from sociological platforms for the President of Ukraine, the US, Tusk, Erdoğan, and our closest partners. It is important to analyze this, and we will make this information public," the president added.

On US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia

Zelenskyy once again responded to the US-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia, which took place yesterday.

"The fact that they are discussing their bilateral issues in Saudi Arabia — I have said before, that is their right. However, I believe the US has helped Putin emerge from years of isolation. No one is irritated. We are prepared for anything," Zelenskyy said.

In his view, the Russians and Russian President Vladimir Putin are very pleased that issues are being discussed with them.

"And yesterday, there were already signals portraying them as a 'victim.' This is something new... And if Secretary of State Rubio officially calls it a 'conflict,' then this is a softening of the policy. And let me be very frank. This is not my first dialogue or battle, and I take it calmly," Zelenskyy noted.

On US and European aid

He also responded to Trump’s frequent claims regarding military assistance.

"The story that 90% of all aid comes from the US — we understand that the reality is a bit different, although we are, of course, grateful for the support. That’s why I would like Trump’s team to be more truthful. Because all of this certainly doesn’t have a positive impact on Ukraine," the president said.

According to Zelenskyy, wartime spending has already reached $320 billion, with $200 billion provided by partners.

"I think we need to clarify the details of the aid. We have absolute figures. The war has cost us $320 billion — $120 billion from us, the people of Ukraine, and $200 billion from the US and the EU. We're talking about weapons; the total weapons package amounts to $320 billion. In total, the US has provided us with around $67 billion in military aid, plus $31.5 billion in financial assistance for the budget," the president stated.

On the rare earth metals agreement

Zelenskyy also explained why the agreement with the US on rare earth metals has not yet been signed. He stated that the document was clear only in one aspect: Ukraine would have to give up 50% of everything listed in it, while there was no mention of security guarantees. Zelenskyy said he was ready to make the document public.

"I have great respect for the US, so I told them that this document is not ready. What is written there goes beyond my powers, beyond my capabilities, beyond the Constitution of Ukraine and all our legislation. There’s a lot in it, and I can’t just discuss it casually. That’s why I pointed out that there is not a single word about security guarantees. And during my second meeting with Vance, we agreed that something on this matter could be included," Zelenskyy said.

He also mentioned that he proposed a compromise to the US, where Ukraine would specify percentages, while the US would include security guarantees.

"I suggested: let’s find a positive balance — you include some guarantees, and we will outline certain percentages in the memorandum. But I was told: only 50%. I said, 'Okay, no.' And now, let the lawyers continue working on it," Zelenskyy added.

On security guarantees

Regarding security guarantees from allies, President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine wants them this year because it aims to end the war in 2025.

"All security guarantees are on the table. I proposed NATO (referring to Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance – ed.). And I understand that every time I bring it up, they don’t even like us talking about it. But we speak our minds. You can’t just say, ‘We need to give something to the Russians, make concessions.’ We don’t want security guarantees from the Russians. We haven’t even reached any conditions regarding them yet. When we discuss an agreement, then we will talk about Russia’s responsibility for this war," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president stressed the need for swift decisions.

"We said: either NATO or a million-strong army, with funding for this army and weapons for it. A comprehensive air defense system — protection that neither the Russians nor the Europeans have. Only the Americans have it, under President Trump. Air defense is exclusively from them. And a military contingent from countries capable of standing in our cities, along border lines, at contact zones, for a certain period. We have a map outlining all this. But we are ready for discussions," Zelenskyy stated.

On sanctions against Poroshenko

President Zelenskyy briefly commented on the sanctions imposed against former President and Ukrainian MP Petro Poroshenko.

"Let law enforcement agencies explain the reasons. This was discussed at the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), financial monitoring provided a full report, there is an investigation, and the sanctions were not imposed on Petro Poroshenko personally. Don’t personalize someone who is involved in withdrawing funds from our country — there is a whole list of individuals engaged in this," Zelenskyy said.

On trust and the trip to the front with Kellogg

President Zelenskyy emphasized that the Ukrainian people, who are fighting for their country, do not support making concessions to the aggressor. He stated that “only 1% of the population supports making all concessions to Russia” and stressed that no one in Ukraine trusts Putin.

"It might seem that issues can be resolved through agreements or documents, but that is impossible. No one in Ukraine trusts Putin. Kellogg will see this firsthand — he will get the ratings, but for me, it's important that he walks around Kyiv and other cities, talks to people, asks them if they trust their president, if they trust Putin, or what they think about Trump after his statements. It's crucial to understand what is happening on the ground," Zelenskyy said.

According to the president, he wants to take Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, to the front lines so that he can speak directly with Ukrainian soldiers.

"Let him talk to the military — ask if they are ready to urgently vote to go home, give everything to the Russians, and live without security guarantees. Let him ask the people who live and fight here. My goal is for Kellogg to get the information firsthand and understand the reality. If he is willing, he will receive all the answers he needs. We are open to any inquiries from their side," Zelenskyy noted.

On the shortage of Patriot missiles

President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s air defense forces are facing a shortage of missiles for the US-made Patriot systems. He shared an example from a recent conversation with one of the commanders.

"At 3, 4, or 5 in the morning, a commander calls me and says: ‘We are near this city, and we have no missiles for the Patriot systems — we've exhausted them.’ He tells me there are eight incoming missiles, but we have nothing to intercept them with," the president recounted.

In the context of security guarantees, he asked the US whether they could provide enough Patriot systems if they were unwilling to send their troops and opposed Ukraine’s NATO membership.

According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine could manage with 20 Patriot systems and a license to produce missiles for them in exchange for the absence of US troops in the country.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump recently held a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. He commented on US-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia, calling them positive.

Trump also accused Ukraine of failing to prevent the war but did not specify how it could have done so.

Additionally, he hinted at the need for elections in Ukraine, claiming that Zelenskyy’s approval rating among Ukrainians is allegedly only 4%. However, he did not explain the source of this figure. More on Trump’s controversial statements can be found in material by RBC-Ukraine.