Zelenskyy Warns of US Misplaced Trust in Putin Over Russia-Iran Ties
In a revealing interview on The Rest is Politics podcast with Alastair Campbell, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced sharp criticism of the United States for what he describes as a dangerous level of trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy alleges that compelling evidence of Russia assisting Iran in targeting US military bases in the Middle East has been disregarded by American officials, a situation he deems deeply regrettable.
Evidence of Collaboration Ignored
Zelenskyy detailed that Russian military satellites have been used to photograph critical energy infrastructure in Gulf states and Israel, as well as the precise locations of US army bases across the region. According to him, the Kremlin has actively shared these details and images with the Iranian regime to facilitate attacks. "I said this publicly. Did we hear a reaction from the US to Russia that they have to stop it?" Zelenskyy questioned rhetorically, emphasizing the lack of response. He added, "The problem is they trust Putin. And it's a pity."
Trump Administration's Approach Scrutinized
The Ukrainian president also pointed to the Trump administration's handling of relations with Russia, suggesting a failure to grasp the full scope of Moscow's intentions. He noted that Donald Trump's negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, visited Moscow five times last year without making a single trip to Kyiv. Zelenskyy argued that this imbalance has led to pressure on Ukraine to cede the Donbas region, where intense fighting continues, based on Putin's ceasefire proposals. "We have to recognise that partially Americans are feeling that [Donbas is] nothing for us," Zelenskyy stated, warning that Putin's ambitions extend beyond this territory to include cities like Dnipro and Kharkiv.
Broader Geopolitical Implications
Zelenskyy further commented on recent political developments, describing US Vice-President JD Vance's campaign trip to Hungary for Viktor Orbán as "not helpful," though he refrained from interfering in Hungary's elections. Looking ahead, he advocated for a strengthened European military bloc, suggesting that the EU should collaborate with Ukraine, the UK, Turkey, and Norway to counter Russian aggression. "Without Ukraine and Turkey, Europe will not have a similar army that Russia has. With Ukraine, Turkey, Norway and the UK, you will control security on the seas," he asserted, expressing confidence in Ukraine's eventual EU membership.
This interview underscores growing concerns over US foreign policy decisions and the escalating overlap between conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Zelenskyy positioning himself as a key voice in understanding Putin's strategies.
