In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep concern over the potential for the United States to align more closely with Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling such a move as a “historic mistake.” Despite his apprehensions, Zelenskyy indicated that he still considers former President Donald Trump an ally, despite a string of decisions that have caused anxiety among Ukrainian officials and U.S. lawmakers alike.
During his appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy stated, “We want to trust him,” referring to Trump. He continued, “I hope that he will change his decisions, because I think that it’s all mistakes, and it will not help us, and it will not help the United States.”
Just days prior, Trump had waived significant new sanctions against Russia, which Congress had passed with bipartisan support, claiming that the action was in the national interest of the U.S. These sanctions were designed to target Russia’s oil and gas revenue sources. Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over this decision, especially in light of the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s strong support for Ukraine.
Moreover, Zelenskyy highlighted recent disruptions in U.S. intelligence sharing, which he claimed left Ukraine vulnerable to incoming missile threats. This issue, he believes, was exacerbated by limitations placed on Starlink technology, critical for intercepting aerial attacks and imposed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, allegedly in response to directives from the U.S. government.
Amidst these challenges, Zelenskyy remains hopeful for further communication with U.S. negotiators. He noted some improvements after a brief cessation of intelligence sharing, stating, “We are very thankful for this. Now it works.” However, he acknowledged that Ukraine still faces restrictions in its use of Starshield, the military variant of Starlink, underscoring the ongoing complexity of U.S.-Ukraine relations.
When asked whether he believed Trump or Musk were directly involved in the decision to limit Starlink, Zelenskyy remarked that he was uncertain but suspected both had a role in the matter. He conveyed that if Trump were to lift those restrictions, the technology would function as it previously did, emphasizing the critical nature of support from the U.S. in Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian aggression.
Photo credit: Nicolas Economou
