Nothing personal between me and Trump – Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed his strained relationship with US President Donald Trump, clarifying that there is nothing personal between them, but warning that relaxing pressure on Vladimir Putin will only strengthen Russia.

Speaking to CNN from Kyiv on Thursday, October 21, Zelensky adopted a conciliatory tone following recent diplomatic tensions.

Ties between Washington and Kyiv grew strained after Trump announced a deal to purchase Russian fuel, waived select sanctions against Moscow, and saw Starlink internet service restricted for Ukrainian forces.

“My attitude to Putin is very clear. I think that if we lift sanctions, we will make him stronger,” Zelensky said.

“It’s not something personal between me and President Trump, and of course I’m against any lifting of sanctions.”

Zelensky’s comments followed a three-hour meeting in St. Petersburg between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Witkoff praised Putin for releasing 74-year-old American detainee Stephen Hubbard.

While Trump argued that waiving sanctions was necessary to secure Hubbard’s release and maintain delicate peace negotiations, Zelensky expressed deep skepticism regarding Moscow’s intentions.”Putin is playing, you know, he is a player,” Zelensky said.

“It’s a pity because he plays with the lives of other people, and of course he doesn’t want (to stop the war). So what we want from our partners (is) not to give him a possibility to be stronger and break us.”

Addressing potential peace terms, Zelensky indicated an openness to freezing current frontlines to stop the killing, but firmly rejected ceding Ukrainian territory or recognizing Russian occupation.

“Our land is very important because it’s about people. It’s not about kilometers,” he emphasized. “A lot of people died defending this land, defending our independence, our country. Nobody will recognize these territories, which are temporarily occupied, as Russian territories, and I think Russia understands it.”

Zelensky noted that while European allies have supplied some air defense missiles, Ukraine faces critical shortages and urgently requires better missile systems alongside sustained sanctions against Russia.