Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States has chosen the wrong side in the war with Russia during a televised interview on Wednesday.
The remarks came after President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
“It’s painful when President Trump chooses one side, not our side,” Zelenskyy told “Piers Morgan Uncensored.” “But we are okay that he’s in the middle. But if you’re in the middle, you have to stay in the middle.
Not on the wrong side. I think his advisers are wrong. I don’t know who is pushing him. Not to the right side, this is not the right side of history.”
Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Is Losing a Strong Partner
Asked directly whether he felt betrayed by Trump, Zelenskyy responded with a qualified yes. He said the situation was more complicated than his personal emotions.
“It’s a pity that we are losing a strong partner,” Zelenskyy said. He added that Ukraine is losing the United States through no fault of its own.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine cannot afford to appear weak on the world stage. He said the country is not selling itself for business interests.
“We don’t sell our country. For us it is not a question of business, it is a question of our lives. This is our country, our home, our children,” he said.
Trump Calls for Leadership Change in Kyiv
The diesel agreement was announced by Trump on Oct. 10. He said he had reached the deal with Putin to lower fuel prices ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The decision prompted criticism from European leaders and members of both major U.S. political parties. Trump responded by calling for a change in Ukraine’s leadership.
Trump said Ukraine needed to elect a new president who could “make a deal.”
Zelenskyy Cites Starlink Restrictions as Another Concern
During the interview, Zelenskyy also addressed the decision by Elon Musk to impose restrictions on Starlink services for Ukraine. He called it a mistake that would lead to loss of life.
Zelenskyy previously criticized the U.S. negotiating team for what he described as an imbalance in engagement. He noted that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had made five visits to Moscow and none to Kyiv.
“The problem is they trust Putin. And it’s a pity,” Zelenskyy said in a separate interview.
Trump has doubled down on the diesel agreement despite the criticism. He accused Zelenskyy of being an obstacle to peace.
