Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the media after a lengthy meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, which reportedly lasted about two and a half hours.
During the press conference, Zelensky was asked why he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to avoid meeting him. His response was direct:
“It’s no secret. As President Trump said, Putin hates me,” Zelensky stated.
When pressed on whether he also hates Putin, Zelensky didn’t hesitate:
“Putin wants to kill all my people, so it’s understandable that I feel the same way about him.”
He clarified that this was not about personal animosity but about the harsh reality of war.
“This isn’t about emotions… The Russians attacked us, and that makes them the enemy. Of course, we hate the enemy,” he added in Ukrainian.
Zelensky’s remarks reflect the deep hostility defining the ongoing war and underscore Kyiv’s uncompromising stance toward Moscow — especially amid continued Western aid and U.S. support.
