Trump highly praised Zelenskyy's actions, describing him as brave and determined
U.S. President Donald Trump's position on Ukraine has changed again, according to Zamin.uz.
Trump praised Vladimir Zelenskyy's actions in wartime conditions, calling him a brave and determined man. During a press briefing at the White House on June 24, following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Sky News correspondent Mark Stone asked Trump whether Zelenskyy was gaining the upper hand in the current situation.
Trump: «He's doing well. No matter what happens, he's not surrendering.
Many people are dying on both sides, but I think he's handling the situation well. There's no doubt he's a brave man.
His weapons, his people — they're fantastic. They're real fighters.»
This statement is being viewed as another significant shift in the U.S. president's stance toward Ukraine. The day before, Zelenskyy summarized the results of Ukraine's long-range strikes on Russian territory in his evening video address.
According to him, attacks on oil refineries have led to fuel shortages in more than 60 regions of Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian government is directing more air defense systems to protect Moscow and Valdai, weakening other parts of the country.
The Ukrainian leader also said that cooperation with allies is needed to force Russia to choose peace. Zelenskyy: «Our operations, including our actions in Crimea, are clearly planned.
If our partners discuss opportunities with us within the G7 framework, we can create conditions that will soon force Russia to choose peace.»
The first serious signs of a shift in Trump's position on Ukraine emerged after the G7 summit held in Évian, France, from June 15 to 17.
Following the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Trump had shown a real change in his approach toward Ukraine. According to Financial Times sources, Ukraine's campaign of strikes on targets inside Russia had made a strong impression on Trump.
Kyiv Independent, citing a high-ranking Ukrainian official, wrote that in private conversations, Trump had urged Zelenskyy to take even bolder action against Russia.
However, it is still too early to say that Washington's position has completely changed.
As noted by Foreign Policy, while the White House is gradually adopting a more sympathetic stance toward Ukraine, it remains reluctant to issue sharp statements against Moscow. One European official said they had been asked to openly support the White House in opposing Russia's war-related actions, but the Biden administration declined, fearing it could harm such discussions.
According to Reuters, the shift in Washington's position has increased unease in Moscow. Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharply criticized the U.S. stance, calling it incorrect.
