Zelensky Urges Trump to Take Harder Line with Putin Than with Hamas
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Donald Trump to adopt a firmer stance toward Vladimir Putin than the former president has taken with Hamas, as Trump prepares for a planned meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest. zelenskyy, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC News broadcast Sunday, drew parallels between Putin’s actions and those of Hamas, arguing that greater pressure is needed to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy stated Putin is “quiet similar to Hamas, but it is indeed stronger,” emphasizing the need for increased pressure on Moscow. He reiterated his willingness to participate in a summit with Trump and Putin in Budapest, should it occur, but stressed that any negotiations must not involve territorial concessions. “If we truly want a just and lasting peace, we need both parties involved in this tragedy. How can there be agreements without us, when it’s about us?” Zelenskyy asked.
The Ukrainian president’s comments follow Trump’s declaration on Thursday that he intends to meet with Putin “in the next two weeks” in Budapest, though no firm date has been set.Trump has previously suggested the war in Ukraine should “stop immediately, on the front line,” a position Zelenskyy countered by stating, “If we want to end this war and urgently begin peace negotiations through diplomacy, we must stay where we are, without ceding anything more to Putin.”
Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s direct involvement in any peace talks. Following a phone conversation with Putin, Trump signaled openness to discussions, but Zelenskyy underscored that a resolution cannot be reached without Ukrainian participation. He affirmed his readiness to attend a Budapest summit, stating simply, “I’m ready.”
