Zelensky addresses Trump and Europe on the war and criticizes Hungary’s position
The Ukrainian president has sent a message to his American counterpart regarding the war with Russia at a time when international pressure to end the conflict is intensifying.
Volodymyr Zelensky wants Donald Trump to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and stop pressuring him to agree to a ceasefire after more than four years of war.
In an interview with Politico, the Ukrainian president said he wants greater clarity about what the United States would do to guarantee any future peace agreement with Russia.
Zelensky also urged European leaders to develop an alternative plan to secure long-term funding for Ukraine, in order to overcome what he described as the “blackmail” of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is blocking a promised European Union loan worth 90 billion euros.
On Wednesday, Politico reported that several Baltic and Northern European countries are considering a plan to provide Ukraine with enough funds to keep it financially afloat during the first half of the year, even if Orbán maintains his veto.
However, regarding peace negotiations, Zelensky made it clear that Donald Trump’s influence would remain crucial.
He said: “We need negotiations. We support them. We do not trust Russia, but I believe, and I am confident, that the Americans truly want to end this war. I hope they will help us, but we need more pressure on Russia, not on me.”
Zelensky’s remarks came a week after Donald Trump once again expressed frustration with him, telling Politico that the Ukrainian president must “move quickly” to reach a deal with Moscow.
Trump also indicated that he trusts Vladimir Putin’s willingness to negotiate more than Zelensky’s, although he provided no evidence to support this claim.
Uncertainty over security guarantees
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Donald Trump has raised concerns in Kyiv and among its European allies by repeatedly appearing sympathetic to Russia’s position. He has criticized Zelensky, calling him a “dictator” and blaming him for starting the war.
However, discussions with Trump’s envoys in December suggested that the United States might be willing to provide some form of security guarantees for Ukraine, which could support any future peace agreement.
According to Zelensky, there are still no details about what such guarantees might look like.
He said: “Let us be honest. For us, it is extremely important, but we do not have a clear answer.”
He explained that Trump had previously asked him: “Do you trust that American security guarantees could be stronger than NATO?” Zelensky replied: “Yes, that depends on you today, but what will happen after you? And what will happen after me?”
Zelensky pointed out that security guarantees would require approval from national parliaments and the U.S. Congress in order to ensure that they could not be abandoned by future administrations.
In a notable development, Zelensky also confirmed that he plans to send teams of Ukrainian drone warfare experts to the Gulf region to assist U.S. allies in countering Iranian Shahed drone attacks, the same type of drones that Russia has used against Ukraine during the war.
Growing dispute with Hungary
Zelensky is also facing a challenge in maintaining the support of his European partners amid a sharp dispute with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Hungary and Slovakia are currently blocking the approval of a 90-billion-euro European loan intended to support Ukraine’s economy and defense industry over the coming years.
Zelensky hopes that the European Union will establish an alternative plan if the blockage continues.
He stated: “Ukraine and Europe need this plan, because we are not only defending Ukraine’s values, but also the freedom of all of Europe.”
The Ukrainian president also strongly criticized Viktor Orbán, accusing him of siding with Moscow and attempting to undermine European sanctions against Russia, as well as financial and military support for Ukraine.
