Zelenskyy: We aren't enemies with America, we're friends
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with The Guardian, said he is not "afraid" of Donald Trump, unlike many other world leaders, because he sees the US as a long-standing strategic partner, not an enemy.
During the interview, a journalist asked Zelenskyy if he fears the American president. Zelenskyy replied that he does not.
"No... We are not enemies with America. We are friends. So why should we be afraid?" the Ukrainian leader said.
Zelenskyy added that during his White House meeting, Trump did not throw around battle maps during the dispute that arose in the Oval Office. He described their relationship as normal, professional, and constructive. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine respects the choice of the American people.
"Trump was elected by his people. We have to respect the choice made by the American people, just as I was elected by my people. The US is our strategic partner, for many years, perhaps even decades and centuries," the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy-Trump meeting: Was there a scandal?
On October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
However, problems reportedly arose during the meeting. According to media reports, Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept Russia's terms for ending the war. Otherwise, Trump warned, Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed he could "destroy" Ukraine.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Trump expressed frustration with Zelenskyy. At one point, he allegedly refused to look at battle maps brought by the Ukrainians, began shouting, scattered documents and maps across the table, and refused to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
