Kyiv, Ukraine CNN — Former US President Donald Trump will probably be “in opposition to People” if he chooses to assist Russia over Ukraine, the war-torn nation’s President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Sunday.
Talking to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins in Kyiv, Zelensky mentioned he “can’t perceive how Donald Trump will be on the facet of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.”
“It’s unbelievable,” he added.
Trump, who’s on the verge of turning into the Republican presidential nominee after successful the South Carolina Republican major, has up to now refused to say whether or not he desires Russia or Ukraine to win the warfare.
Zelensky mentioned that he believed Trump — who additionally claimed he would finish the battle in at some point if elected — didn’t perceive Putin’s objectives.
“I believe Donald Trump doesn’t know Putin,” Zelensky mentioned. “I do know he met him… however he by no means fought with Putin. (The) American military by no means fought with the military of Russia. By no means… I’ve a greater understanding,” he mentioned.
“I don’t suppose he understands that Putin won’t ever cease,” he mentioned.
Zelensky informed CNN that Russia is spending “billions” on spreading false details about the warfare, and that it has been profitable in utilizing disinformation as a weapon – and in influencing the talk within the US.
“I used to be stunned that they’re robust even in the USA, within the EU (European Union), all around the world. They put some huge cash (in)to this,” he mentioned.
Inflating the variety of Ukrainian casualties is only one instance of how Russia is spreading false narratives, the president mentioned. Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky disclosed for the primary time the variety of Ukrainian troopers killed within the battle up to now: 31,000.
He mentioned it was essential to share the quantity as a result of “we’ve had sufficient of the lies,” including that even some US politicians have been sharing broadly inaccurate numbers.
CNN can not independently confirm the numbers, which got here on the weekend Ukraine marked two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. US officers estimate some 70,000 troopers have been killed and practically twice that quantity wounded.
Ukraine has had a tough begin to the 12 months. It suffered a serious defeat earlier this month when Ukrainian troops withdrew from Avdiivka, an jap metropolis they held for a decade.
Zelensky and different Ukrainian and Western officers mentioned Avdiivka was misplaced as a result of troops didn’t have sufficient ammunition to defend it.
But regardless of the horrific penalties of those shortages, the US Congress continues to stall on President Joe Biden’s $60 billion army help package deal for Ukraine.
Zelensky mentioned that with out US help, Ukraine won’t solely wrestle to make any new features on the battlefield, however it is going to additionally discover it tough to maintain defending itself this 12 months.
“Folks will probably be ready, however ammunition won’t be ready and brigades won’t be prepared… not just for our counter-offensive, they won’t be able to defend, to remain robust. Will probably be very tough,” he mentioned.
The timing is essential as Zelensky mentioned earlier on Sunday that Russia might try a brand new offensive as early as late Might.
Ukraine’s new military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi is at present drawing up two variations of a plan on what to do subsequent, he mentioned. If Kyiv will get the US help, it is going to be capable of begin pushing again in opposition to Russia. If it doesn’t, it must give attention to defending solely.
Zelensky mentioned that he has spoken to the Home Speaker Mike Johnson concerning the help package deal and was feeling optimistic after that dialog.
“He mentioned that he’ll do every little thing to assist Ukraine, and he’s on our facet, and he understands how heroic our folks, our troopers and civilians (are),” he mentioned.
Zelensky added that whereas he understands the US is heading into elections, he’s hoping an settlement will be reached.
“If they are going to change their minds, it’s a giant downside for us,” he mentioned.
“I requested President (Biden)… ‘please, president, I’m asking you to assist me and to assist the Ukrainian folks… please have one assembly with one another, Democrats and Republicans, and please, can you may have a deal?’” he mentioned.
Requested by Collins a few declare made by US Senator JD Vance that the end result of the warfare won’t change even when Ukraine receives the cash, Zelensky mentioned Vance “doesn’t perceive what’s going on right here.”
“To grasp it’s to return to the frontline to see what’s happening… with out this assist. And he’ll perceive that thousands and thousands of individuals will probably be killed,” he added.
“He doesn’t perceive it, in fact, God bless you don’t have the warfare in your territory.”
