Zelenskyy Urges Trump to Take Tougher Stance Against Putin: Summit in Budapest Looms
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to participate in their upcoming summit in Budapest and remained hopeful despite not receiving the weapons he had requested from the United States.
During an interview with NBC News, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for Trump to exert more pressure on Putin, comparing the Russian leader to Hamas but noting that Russia's military strength required a stronger approach. Zelenskyy had hoped for the delivery of long-range U.S. Tomahawk missiles to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Following a meeting with Trump at the White House, Zelenskyy acknowledged that while Trump did not reject the idea of providing Tomahawk missiles, he did not confirm their delivery either. Putin has expressed concerns about the escalation that would result from supplying such weapons to Ukraine.
Trump announced plans to meet with Putin in Budapest for further discussions on ending the conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy, despite referring to Putin as a "terrorist," reiterated his willingness to engage in direct talks with the Russian president to achieve a lasting peace.
Amid ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure by Russia, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine was not losing the war and that Putin was intensifying airstrikes due to Russia's weakened position on the battlefield. Trump called for a halt to the violence and urged both Ukraine and Russia to reach a peaceful resolution.
As the conflict continues, Russia currently controls a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, including areas in the east and southeast of the country. Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S. highlighted the urgent need for international support to address the escalating crisis in Ukraine.