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U.S. taking Putin’s side would be a ‘historic mistake,’ says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns against U.S. siding with Russia, citing 'historic mistake',

18 Oct 2026 · 3 min read · Updated recently
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns against U.S. siding with Russia, citing 'historic mistake',

The full report

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concerns about the potential for the U.S. to formally side with Russia, warning that it would be a 'historic mistake.' This statement was made in an interview with NBC News' 'Meet the Press' on Sunday.

Zelenskyy's comments come after President Donald Trump waived new sanctions against Russia, citing national interests. The sanctions were intended to target Russia's revenue streams by punishing global buyers of Russian oil and gas.

The waiver has been met with criticism from Zelenskyy, who believes that it will strengthen Russia's President Vladimir Putin in his efforts to occupy Ukraine. Zelenskyy also accused the U.S. of betraying Kyiv last week.

In addition to the sanctions, Zelenskyy has expressed concerns about the U.S. limiting Starlink technology critical to intercepting jet-powered drones. He believes that this decision was made in response to a 'message from the American government.'

Zelenskyy has maintained that his feelings towards Trump have not changed, despite the strained personal relations between the two leaders. He has accused Trump of making 'mistakes' and expressed hope that he will change his decisions.

The Ukrainian President has also warned that the U.S. formally siding with Russia would be a 'historic mistake' and would not help either country. He believes that Ukraine and the U.S. must work together to prevail against Russia.

Zelenskyy's comments highlight the complex and often tense relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia. His warnings about the potential consequences of U.S. actions are a reminder of the high stakes involved in this situation.


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