Zelenskyy says Ukraine 'will not prevail’ if U.S. takes Russia's side: Full interview

[0:03] Welcome back. And joining me now is the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. [0:08] President Zelenskyy, welcome back to Meet the Press. [0:14] Thanks so much. Hello. Good morning. [0:16] Good morning. Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate it. [0:21] I do want to start with the latest news. [0:24] President Trump has signed an executive order waiving sanctions for Russia [0:30] in direct contradiction to the bipartisan bill signed for Lindsey Graham [0:36] that he just signed into law weeks ago. What is your reaction? [0:40] So it's a pity, of course, because first of all, it's all about the life of Lindsey. [0:53] He is a great man. Absolutely. He was a great supporter of peace and of Ukraine. [0:59] And he was a dozen times in Ukraine. And of course, he always supported it. [1:06] The very beginning when, you know, not big number of people trusted that we will stand [1:12] and we will defend and we will defend our freedom and independence. [1:19] He always was on our side. And he really believed in Ukraine and was very supportive. [1:27] And of course, he invested in this bill too much, a lot support of his friends, [1:36] centers and congressmen. I'm thankful to all of them who supported this bill. [1:40] And of course, he invested his life and time because he really believed in Ukraine [1:47] and always, I mean, he was always on our side. So it's a pity that now it doesn't work, this bill. [1:58] And I hope that other American politicians will support this bill. [2:04] And I hope that maybe we will have a chance. [2:07] What are the implications of President Trump waiving sanctions for Russia? What's the impact? [2:14] Strengthening Putin's war against us because he feels success. [2:28] He doesn't have any kind of success on the battlefield, especially this year, 2026. [2:36] He lost opportunities on the battlefield and all his operations he lost. [2:45] So we've been not successful and because of our army and they've been very strong. [2:52] Our soldiers have been very strong this year. Then we really build, try to build air defense shield to defend our civilians, [3:02] but always big deficit with Patriot missiles and other kind of air defense. [3:08] But in any way, it's understandable that we have something we have support of Americans, [3:14] have support from Europeans. But but now I think that this, you know, this it's it's really big support for Putin. [3:29] It feels victory with sanctions and this little deal. And then Starlink between us. [3:36] And we have to be very honest. So we always thankful by partisan support. [3:41] But with Starlink, it's not the support. Really, it's I mean, this for today, it's more supportive for Russian aggression, [3:48] especially for their strikes against our civilians, against our energy projects. [3:55] And we're afraid that the question of Russian gas will be raised and and also and also the question of all frozen assets. [4:06] And that's why we say that it's very dangerous. These diesel deals were dangerous. [4:10] It doesn't have influence on the real influence on the price in the United States. [4:16] We understand that the price is because of blocking of almost straight of almost. Yes. [4:24] But so I mean, let me ask support of such steps, of course. [4:30] Let me ask you, because you have said you're ready to meet with American negotiators and that you've received indications that a meeting could happen as soon as next week. [4:41] What are the status of those talks? President Zelensky. Yes, we've got the message. [4:51] My negotiation group got a message during direct talks with American negotiation group that they want to meet. [5:01] And I said I accept it immediately. And I said not to wait. [5:05] And if it's difficult for them to come to directly to Ukraine, I will be in Europe. [5:11] And I'm ready to meet in Brussels or in London because I was visited two cities, two capitals. [5:19] And and I was ready. I was open as I understood that American group that they will be ready on this week. [5:27] I hope so. So again, I'm very open for this, even with all the difficult circumstances and all the energy challenges. [5:36] But we know that the way to peace, the most important to stop the war, the most important. [5:42] Any kind of ceasefire is very important, like the steps of the escalation. [5:46] So we are ready to meet. And I think that on Tuesday, maybe Wednesday, we will be opportunity to meet in any way. [5:54] Today, I will have phone call with American Negotiation Group in some hours to three hours. [6:01] We will have talks about it. Okay. [6:04] I do want to talk about Starlink, which is Elon Musk's satellite Internet network with a military version called Star Shield. [6:13] The services provide Ukraine with critical battlefield communications and drone operations. [6:19] The Telegraph reports Musk approached Trump to slow down the satellite services. [6:25] Now, the Trump administration denies that. Who do you blame for the disruption of those services? [6:32] First of all, if it will be able to have against Starlink and have the same speed, it will be very helpful. [6:50] For first, for our air defense systems, because we use interceptors, drones with Starlink, like interceptors, Iranian jet drones, with high speed jet drones, [7:07] which they use against our infrastructure, water supplies, energy schools and universities. [7:13] So we hope that they will give us this opportunity. [7:17] What does it mean? [7:19] Shahid drone, they have speed 500, for example, 450 or 550, even plus the speed. [7:28] Yes, kilometers. [7:30] And that's why we need the same speed to destroy. [7:35] But now we have, uh, we have, uh, Yakub Mezhini. [7:40] Limitation. [7:41] Yeah, yeah. [7:42] Now we have, sorry. [7:43] Now we have limitations. [7:44] Maximum 160. [7:46] Uh, be clear, be clear, 161. [7:52] Yes. [7:53] And this is the, uh, maximum speed to what we have. [7:56] So we can't, we can't destroy Shahid's speed. [8:01] Shahid's jet drones with this. [8:04] Of course we use aviation. [8:07] We use our other missiles and et cetera to destroy Shahid's. [8:11] But these kind of a weapon we can't use. [8:14] Then it's also about logistics because we used these drones with Starlinks to give water and food to our soldiers who are on the front line. [8:23] And what is important that we always said that it's not about deep strikes because we, we, oppositely, we asked SpaceX and President Trump to open Starlink on the territory of Russia to give us a chance to destroy ballistic launches of Russia. [8:43] Only these goals. [8:45] So it was close. [8:46] Always close for us. [8:47] And now the speed is limited. [8:50] And of course it's limited by technically it's not a mistake. [8:55] It's limited because it's a decision. [8:57] Who made this decision? [8:59] I don't know. [9:01] I don't know. [9:02] I think that this is both decision, really both decision. [9:06] If President Trump will decide tomorrow or better today, if he will personally decide to, to live, to lift this decision, it will be immediately work as it was before. [9:24] So just to be very clear, can you put a finger on it? [9:30] Who do you think specifically is to blame for the disruptions to the Starlink and the Star Shield services? [9:37] Do you think it was a deliberate interruption? [9:40] No, no. [9:46] Of course the message came from government. [9:48] I don't know from whom, what cabinets and et cetera. [9:51] And I think it doesn't work either way, but I don't know really. [9:55] But we think it's not my opinion. [9:58] It's opinion of our generals, of our government. [10:01] And of course my also opinion, the same, that it was the message from American government to limit this speed. [10:09] And technically, SpaceX did it. [10:12] And has the system been fully restored? [10:16] What's the status right now, President Zelensky? [10:20] No. [10:22] No. [10:23] Not of course. [10:24] We have a limitation. [10:25] The speed is maximum 161 kilometers, not miles, kilometers. [10:31] Let me ask you, because there are reports that the U.S. has cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine. [10:40] Is that accurate? [10:41] Has the United States cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine? [10:45] It was blocked for some period of time. [10:53] And then it was de-blocked by American side. [10:59] We are very thankful for this. [11:00] Now it works. [11:01] Yeah. [11:02] And now it works. [11:04] Yeah. [11:07] How long was it blocked? [11:08] And what were the implications of U.S. intelligence sharing being blocked from your perspective, President Zelensky? [11:15] We didn't see attacks of Russia using ballistic missiles. [11:28] Other information we've got from other intelligence from Europeans and other partners, we have dozens of countries who help. [11:37] But only the United States has this unique intelligence to say, to tell us, to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles. [11:50] And we didn't get it during ballistic attacks during three days. [11:56] Mm-hmm. [11:57] Okay. [11:58] Let me ask you, big picture, about your relationship with President Trump. [12:03] He has made a number of recent statements about you and your relationship. [12:08] I want to play some of what he has said and get your reaction on the other side. [12:13] Take a listen. [12:14] No, I'm not a big fan of Zelensky. [12:18] I find Zelensky to be more difficult to deal with than Putin. [12:21] The president says you are more difficult to deal with than Putin. [12:26] What is your reaction to that? [12:35] I'm very honest with the president of the United States and very clear and very supportive America because we are strategic partners. [12:48] This is the kind of relations I understand and I respect. [12:52] But I can't applause any decisions or any wars of one or another leader if they go against Ukraine, [13:02] if they are supportive for Russia and directly for Putin. [13:08] He's a killer. [13:09] That's why I'm very honest and open to say that he's a killer. [13:13] And that's why maybe it's not very polite and maybe not the things what the president of the United States waits for me. [13:25] But I'm better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers even with a smile on their face. [13:38] You said earlier this week that you feel betrayed by President Trump. Why? [13:44] We always supported the decisions of the president of the United States about ceasefire. [13:57] Even when it was not so, how to say, not the things what we waited from American side. [14:04] Yes, we waited always that United States will be on our side. [14:09] But even with the position that United States in the middle, we respect this decision. [14:16] It doesn't mean that we wanted this, but we have to respect and we respect. [14:21] This is the decision of American president. [14:24] But when we speak that America is in the middle, it's mean that in the middle, not on the Russian side. [14:30] But that's why my attitude was this way. [14:34] I said this way and I and I use such words. [14:39] It's true that it's it's sick. [14:42] I mean, this is a is a very bad surprise for us to hear from media that something was signed by United States and Russia to support Russia with diesel. [14:59] Then to hear from media that there is energy ceasefire. [15:03] Of course, the most important thing that we can have energy ceasefire. [15:07] But if it's just words about energy ceasefire and Russia is not supportive. [15:13] It just words to our side that we can't respond on the energy of these guys, of these killers. [15:21] And I think it's not fair attitude to us like to partners. [15:26] So just to be very clear, you said earlier this week you feel betrayed by President Trump. [15:32] Do you still feel betrayed by President Trump by the United States? [15:36] I don't know all the reasons why President Trump make such deals made, sorry, made such deals with Putin. [15:55] But it doesn't look that all these steps will push us to peace. [16:04] I think oppositely it will strengthen Putin in his will to occupy us. [16:11] And this does it doesn't help full and it's not helpful. [16:17] And and that's why I think that's why I think that I shared absolutely honestly all my feelings and my feelings. [16:30] Sorry, my feelings didn't change. [16:33] Meaning you still feel betrayed. [16:36] I'm OK. [16:42] Do you trust? [16:44] Do you trust President Trump? [16:46] Of course, we trust America. [16:51] We trust bipartisan support and we trust President of the United States. [16:58] We we want to trust him. [17:01] And I hope that he will change his decisions because I think that it's it's all. [17:09] It's all mistakes and it will not help us and it will not help United States. [17:15] I'm sure. [17:16] But I mean, it's it's not my choice. [17:19] And I hope that he will change, change his decisions, change his attitude to Putin. [17:25] We waited from the very beginning of his presidential term that he will change his attitude to Putin. [17:33] For us, it's important and essential. [17:37] Absolutely people. [17:39] I mean, the people want to to forget what's going on, but we can't give this possibility to forget or to change reality or to change the truth. [17:49] We never and it's not we can't compare with Russia. [17:54] We can't compare me and Putin. [17:58] He's aggressor. [17:59] He's occupied. [18:00] He occupied us. [18:01] He killed adults and children. [18:04] He's soldiers. [18:05] He's a terrorist. [18:07] And that's why I hope that President Trump will be very clear with this position. [18:13] I hope so. [18:14] Do you still believe President Trump is an ally of the United of Ukraine? [18:18] I hope so. [18:19] I hope so. [18:24] Yeah. [18:26] Mm hmm. [18:27] Can Ukraine win this war without the United States, President Zelensky? [18:32] Very difficult. [18:37] You know, it's I mean, this it's all about losses. [18:43] It's true. [18:44] It's not about prevail or not prevail. [18:49] It's all about it's about our people. [18:52] If it's without United States support, it's very difficult. [18:58] But if United States will support Putin, I mean, it's unbelievable. [19:02] It's tragedy. [19:03] It's historic mistake and big tragedy. [19:07] That's why I think that I don't want to live in illusions. [19:12] But I think that we have to be pragmatic. [19:15] If United States will take officially will take the side of Russia. [19:20] Of course, if these two countries will be together, of course, of course, we will not prevail. [19:25] And we will not be able to stand. [19:29] It's understandable. [19:30] That's why we hope that President, his team will be on our side, minimum in the middle. [19:38] President Trump has called for you to step down. [19:43] Now, you have said that if Russia gave Ukraine 60 days of peace, your country would organize elections. [19:50] I want to be very clear, President Zelensky, are you willing to step down as the leader of your country? [19:57] We need half a year, half a year after this war will end to prepare for elections. [20:08] This is not only the law, this is the security measures, but it's after the war. [20:14] I said what we need minimum if we don't have ending the war. [20:19] And if Trump and Putin want me to make elections, of course, first it's a it's a choice of our people. [20:27] But if they really want, I said give us minimum 60 days of ceasefire without any kind of other negotiations, just 60 days. [20:38] And we will try our best to change our law. [20:41] We will try our best to prepare some infrastructure, some security infrastructure. [20:46] But trust me, it's it looks absolutely dangerous and unbelievable because we need fair choice. [20:56] We need that our soldiers will have possibility to vote because it's it's it's truth. [21:02] They have to vote because they really defend our country. [21:07] And that's what what I said. [21:09] If you think that I don't want elections, it's not truth and it's not fair. [21:13] And everybody understand it in the world. [21:16] I mean, the minimum in Europe and I'm sure in the United States. [21:19] It's goes. [21:21] Yeah, please. [21:22] Sorry. [21:23] No, I was just going to ask if there were elections. [21:27] Would you run in an upcoming election if you did get to if Ukraine did get to a place where it could hold elections? [21:35] If it will it if it will be during the war. [21:43] Of course, it's my responsibility because I have to defend my country from the very beginning to end this war. [21:53] President Zelenskyy, are you confident that Ukraine can win this war ultimately? [22:02] Of course, because truth on our side. [22:08] Of course, I understand that during the long war, the attitude to I mean this to the word victory and to to the the feelings of prevailing may be different between people. [22:24] But to save the country, to save independence, to save European choice, geopolitical choice and to save all our rights and Ukrainian identity. [22:37] And I think this is to win. [22:39] And these what we have to do. [22:41] Just finally, President Zelenskyy, what is the state of the war right now? [22:46] What is the state of the Ukrainian people? [22:49] People are tired. [22:56] It's true because of a lot of attacks. [22:59] Civilians, yes, under this massive energy attacks on our energy. [23:06] And that's why energy ceasefire is a good step for the escalation doesn't mean that it's good only for us. [23:13] It's good for this situation, for the war. [23:16] And if we really want to start to end this war, this is like first step is not bad. [23:22] So on the battlefield, Russia losses their operations, lost their operations. [23:28] But it doesn't mean that we don't want to stop. [23:30] No, we want to stop because we don't want to lose not only civilians, also our heroic soldiers. [23:37] That's why the situation on battlefield mostly at the same position. [23:41] So they they can't win us on the battlefield. [23:46] That's it. [23:47] Yes, they can using ballistics make a chaos. [23:52] They try to make a chaos in Ukraine, in our capital and etc. [23:57] From this side, if partners, United States will help us with energy, just help a little bit with missiles for patriots. [24:07] Because I know that there are some different documents and etc. [24:10] And we wait from the United States to give us some missiles. [24:15] This is, this is what we need. [24:17] Then Starlink, just give us back Starlink. [24:20] And of course, if they will not, we will, I mean, we will survive. [24:24] And we will, I mean this, we will not stop to defend us even without it. [24:29] But why? [24:30] I can't understand for what? [24:32] What the reasons to limit us? [24:34] Not to defend ourselves or for what? [24:37] I think it's a mistake. [24:39] This is where we are. [24:41] And of course, some, we need strong leaders who will push Putin to diplomacy. [24:49] All right. [24:51] I think this is what we need. [24:52] We have to focus on it. [24:53] All right. [24:55] President Zelensky, thank you so very much for your time today. [24:58] We really appreciate it. [25:00] We really appreciate it.