Putin is ‘Playing Games’ with Washington, Says Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in an interview with ABC News that the summit between the U.S. and Russian presidents held in Alaska provided Vladimir Putin with the outcome he expected.

“It is unfortunate that Ukraine was not present at that meeting because I believe Trump gave Putin what he wanted. Putin's greatest desire was to meet with the U.S. president, and he got that. That is extremely unfortunate,” Zelensky remarked.

He emphasized that Putin avoids meetings with him but seeks communication with the U.S. leader. Zelensky pointed out that Putin proposes meeting conditions that he cannot accept, adding that he is “playing games” with Washington.

When asked if he would host Putin in Moscow, Zelensky responded with a smile: “Let him come to Kyiv. I cannot go to Moscow while my country is being subjected to missile attacks every day.”

Regarding his vision of Ukraine's victory, the president noted that it is primarily about the survival of the country: “Putin's goal is the occupation of Ukraine. He wants to completely seize us. That would be a victory for him. As long as he has not achieved that, victory is ours. For us, survival is victory, as we continue to live, preserving our identity, country, and independence,” said the Ukrainian president.