Selenskyy Rejects Trump’s Allegations, Insists on Security Guarantees
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly refuted allegations made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his supposedly low approval ratings and misappropriation of U.S. aid.
Approval Ratings
Zelenskyy vehemently denied Trump’s claims that his approval ratings were as low as 4%, citing several polls that consistently show his approval ratings above 50%. He condemned these low figures as "Russian disinformation."
"Kyiv has evidence that these numbers were discussed between Washington and Moscow," Zelenskyy asserted, adding that these poll results were shared with Trump and other foreign partners.
U.S. Aid
Zelenskyy also rejected Trump’s accusation that U.S. assistance had been embezzled. He stated that the war with Russia had cost Ukraine $320 billion, with $120 billion covered by Ukraine and the remaining $200 billion provided by the U.S. and the European Union.
Additionally, Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine had received over $100 billion in budgetary support and humanitarian aid. He characterized Trump’s $500 billion request as "unserious."
"We are ready for a serious document, but we need security guarantees," Zelenskyy emphasized. The negotiations on a treaty that would include U.S. access to Ukrainian resources are ongoing.
Security Demands
In the event of Ukraine’s non-membership in NATO, Zelenskyy asserted that his country would require weapons and funding for its military. He reiterated that the U.S. was the only supplier capable of providing reliable air defense.
"We are prepared to discuss the number of troops," Zelenskyy said, urging the deployment of foreign forces on Ukrainian soil.
Context
Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for nearly three years. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.
Implications
Zelenskyy’s rejection of Trump’s allegations underscores the strain in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. The ongoing negotiations on a treaty and the future of U.S. support for Ukraine remain uncertain.
The Ukrainian president’s insistence on security guarantees and the potential deployment of foreign troops highlights the heightened tensions in the region and the need for a diplomatic resolution.
