US President Donald Trump handed Russian President Vladimir Putin a public relations victory during their one-on-one summit in Alaska last month, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has claimed.
Trump met with Putin on August 15 as part of efforts to mediate a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev. Although the meeting produced no breakthroughs, both sides described it as a positive step.
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“It’s a pity that Ukraine was not there, because I think that President Trump gave Putin what he wanted,” Zelensky told ABC News’ Martha Raddatz in an interview aired on Sunday. “He wanted very much to meet with President Trump… And I think that Putin got it. And, it’s a pity.”
Zelensky argued that Putin was “playing games with the United States,” claiming that the Russian leader wanted “to show everybody video and images” from his summit with Trump.
He called for increased pressure on Moscow, saying it is “not fair” that some EU countries continue to buy Russian oil and gas.
Trump, who previously criticized both Russia and Ukraine, hinted on Sunday that he is ready to impose additional sanctions on Moscow. He had earlier added a 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian oil.
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Russia has demanded that Ukraine recognize its new border and abandon plans to join NATO. Moscow also listed an end to Western weapons deliveries to Kiev as one of the conditions for a ceasefire.