President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Russia rather than on Ukraine as discussions about a potential peace deal continue, Politico reported on Wednesday, March 11.
“We need negotiations. We support them,” Zelensky said in an interview at the presidential office in Kyiv. “We don’t trust Russia, but I think, and I trust that Americans really want to finish with this war. I hope that they will help us, but we need more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
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Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainians are “tired” after more than four years of war, but said morale remains high and Kyiv is not prepared to accept Russia’s demands to hand over large parts of eastern Ukraine.
His comments came after Trump recently suggested Zelensky needed to “get on the ball” and reach a peace agreement with Moscow. Trump also said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin may be ready to negotiate a deal.
Security guarantees still unclear
Zelensky said Ukraine still lacks clarity on what security guarantees the United States would provide under any future peace agreement.
“For us, it’s very important, but we don’t have a clear answer,” he said.
According to Zelensky, Trump asked him whether Ukraine would trust American security guarantees to be stronger than NATO’s.
“I said, ‘Yes, it depends on you for today. It depends on you, Mr. President. God bless if we will have stronger security guarantees than NATO. But what will be after you? And what will be after me?’”
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Zelensky added that any security guarantees would need approval from national parliaments and the US Congress to ensure they could not be easily reversed by future administrations.
Dispute with Hungary
Zelensky also criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, accusing him of blocking European financial support for Ukraine.
Hungary and Slovakia are currently holding up a previously agreed €90 billion ($104 billion) EU loan intended to support Ukraine’s economy and defense industry.
Orbán, whom Zelensky described as a “strategic partner” of Russia, has also demanded repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline that carries Russian oil across Ukraine.
“He’s standing on the side of the Russian leader,” Zelensky said. “He’s doing the same, blocking everything for Ukraine.”
Zelensky urged European partners to develop a “Plan B” to secure Ukraine’s funding if Hungary continues to veto the loan package.
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