The power went out during the interview… What did Zelensky say about Trump and Putin?

In a recent interview, the Ukrainian president spoke about war, peace, and respect, removing fear from the language of leadership.

Speaking to The Guardian, President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared confident as he tackled the most sensitive questions: his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, his stance on the ongoing Russian war, and his vision for the future of Western support to Ukraine.

As the lights in his palace dimmed due to Russian strikes on the power grid, Zelensky spoke of strength not as a weapon but as the ability to remain firm and persuasive.

Zelensky said he was not afraid of Trump, unlike some Western leaders, and denied reports that their last meeting in Washington had been stormy, confirming that their relationship was “good.” He added that King Charles had played a role in strengthening ties between them.

The interview took place shortly after Russian missile attacks knocked out much of Ukraine’s power grid on Sunday, causing widespread blackouts as engineers rushed to make repairs. The electricity went out twice during the conversation.

Zelensky dismissed claims that Trump had angrily thrown military maps aside during a tense White House meeting last October, when Ukraine was seeking U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles. “He didn’t throw anything, I’m sure of that,” Zelensky said, describing their talks as “normal,” “practical,” and “constructive.”

Earlier reports by the Financial Times suggested that Trump had pressured Zelensky to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin’s conditions to end the war, warning that Moscow would “destroy” Ukraine if it refused. Zelensky said the meeting was different and that the Ukrainian delegation had presented three sets of military and economic proposals aimed at weakening Moscow and pushing Putin to negotiate.

“Everyone in the world is afraid of Trump—that’s the truth,” Zelensky said from his presidential palace in Kyiv. When asked if he shared that fear, he replied, “No… We are not America’s enemies. We are friends. Why should we be afraid?”

He continued, “Trump was elected by his people, and we must respect the choice of the American people, just as my people elected me. The United States is our strategic partner for years to come—perhaps for decades or centuries.”

Zelensky revealed that King Charles played an important behind-the-scenes role in encouraging Trump to provide greater support for Ukraine, particularly after a tense Oval Office meeting in February during which Trump reportedly cut short their conversation. During Trump’s state visit to Britain in September, he met privately with the King. “I don’t know all the details,” Zelensky said, “but I understand His Majesty conveyed important messages to President Trump.”

He added, “Trump has great respect for the King and considers him a very important person—a privilege he doesn’t extend to many.”

During the interview, the power went out inside the Mariinsky Palace in central Kyiv, plunging the room into darkness before a generator restored the light. Smiling, Zelensky remarked, “This is our daily life. It’s normal. We have power cuts like everyone else.”

The Ukrainian president also discussed ongoing efforts with international partners to counter Russian drone attacks but noted that Western allies have yet to deliver fighter jets to protect Ukraine’s skies. He expressed his wish to purchase 27 Patriot air-defense systems from the United States and urged European countries to lend theirs temporarily.

When asked whether European and British support was sufficient, he replied, “It’s never enough until the war is over.” He confirmed he had a good working relationship with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and maintained regular communication with London.

On the possibility of British or French troops being deployed in Ukraine, Zelensky said he would “of course welcome it,” but cautioned that such decisions must be handled carefully because “leaders fear their people’s reaction.” Excessive pressure, he warned, could erode financial and military support from allies.

As Russian forces took control of most of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine after fierce battles, Zelensky stated that Moscow had deployed “170,000 soldiers” along the front, calling the fighting in Donetsk “the fiercest and bloodiest.” He estimated Russian losses in October alone at “25,000 dead and wounded,” a record number according to him.