Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with CNN that he expects increased US support following the Democrats’ victories in congressional elections. He also addressed the need for a strong stance against Vladimir Putin, the deaths of Russian soldiers, and the possibility of direct negotiations with the Russian leader.
Zelensky hopes for stronger support from Democrats
Commenting on Democrats taking control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Zelensky emphasized that maintaining bipartisan support in Washington remains essential for Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian president, Democratic lawmakers are not afraid to openly call Russia the aggressor and oppose handing Ukrainian territory over to Putin.
“They stay on our side. They don’t try to balance between us and Russia. They are not afraid to say that Russia is the aggressor. They don’t want to give our land to Putin,” Zelensky said.
He expressed hope that US assistance would increase as Ukraine approaches another difficult period, with Russia continuing its attacks on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
Putin responds to strength, not friendly words
Zelensky also commented on remarks by US President Donald Trump, who described Putin as having been “fine” regarding Ukraine and suggested that Russia had not been carrying out significant attacks. Those comments came shortly after a Russian strike in Kharkiv killed a schoolteacher and her one-year-old daughter.
The Ukrainian president described such statements as deeply painful for Ukrainians who continue to lose loved ones in Russian attacks.
He stressed that strong statements from Washington condemning Russian aggression, combined with substantial military assistance, could influence the Kremlin’s decisions.
According to Zelensky, a firm US position could force Putin to reconsider further attacks against Ukraine.
“I’m not crying when Russian soldiers die”
Asked about Trump’s frequent references to Russian military casualties, Zelensky said he does not mourn Russian troops who entered Ukraine to kill its citizens.
“I’m not crying when I see that the soldiers of Russia which are on our territory killing our people, that they are dying,” the president said.
He emphasized that Putin made the decision to send Russian forces into another country, where entire communities have been devastated, including residential buildings, schools and churches.
Negotiations are possible, but not in Moscow
Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to hold direct talks with Putin but ruled out meeting in the Russian capital.
“We are ready to meet in any country, not in Moscow, in the United States or somewhere in Europe or Middle East,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also expressed confidence that Donald Trump has the ability to pressure Putin into negotiations, pointing to Trump’s repeated statements about his strong personal relationship with the Russian leader.
At the same time, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not surrender Donbas or recognize Russian sovereignty over territories currently under occupation.
He also warned against establishing a new European-Russian security framework before ending the war and determining security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky cautioned that Europe must avoid a new “Yalta 2.0” arrangement that could divide the continent into spheres of influence and undermine the sovereignty of independent nations.
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