Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed President Donald Trump to adopt a tougher stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that the Russian leader is “something similar but more strong than Hamas.” In an exclusive interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, Zelenskyy said Trump must apply more pressure than he did in brokering the recent Gaza ceasefire, given the scale of the war and Russia’s military strength.
The Ukrainian leader expressed his readiness to join the upcoming summit in Budapest, which Trump and Putin agreed to hold to discuss ending the war. “If we really want to have just and lasting peace, we need both sides of this tragedy,” he said, questioning how “some deals” could be made “without us about us.”
Zelenskyy’s comments followed a White House meeting with President Trump, where the fate of long-range U.S. Tomahawk missiles was a key topic.
READ: Trump Withholds Tomahawk Missiles From Ukraine, Prioritizing Diplomacy After Putin Call
While Trump had publicly floated the possibility of providing the weapons, which could strike deep into Russia, he expressed hesitation after speaking with Putin. Zelenskyy noted that while it was “good that President Trump didn’t say ‘no,’ but for today, didn’t say ‘yes,’” he believes Putin is “really afraid” that Ukraine will receive and use the powerful missiles.
Despite leaving the U.S. without a commitment on the Tomahawks, Zelenskyy remained optimistic about the prospect of an end to the war, saying “God bless, yes,” when asked if Trump can end the conflict.
He firmly ruled out ceding any territory to Russia, arguing that a diplomatic path to “just and lasting peace” requires Ukraine to “stay where we stay.” The President’s visit comes as Russia escalates airstrikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure ahead of winter.
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