Zelenskyy Speaks on Recent Conversation With Trump in Fox News Interview

On February 28, following a tense White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the fallout in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, emphasizing his gratitude for American support while defending Ukraine’s stance in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

When asked about Trump’s remarks suggesting that Zelenskyy had disrespected the U.S., he responded:

"I’m very thankful to Americans for all your support, you did a lot. I’m very thankful to President Trump and to Congress for the bipartisan support."

Zelenskyy acknowledged that U.S. aid had been crucial for Ukraine, adding that he aimed to be straightforward in discussions with U.S. leaders:

"Nobody wants to find [peace] more than we. We are in this battle for freedom, for our lives."

When asked whether the public disagreement with Trump was in Ukraine’s best interest, Zelenskyy said such tensions were not beneficial but emphasized that Ukraine’s stance on Russia’s actions remained firm:

"This kind of spat is not good for both sides. I can’t change our Ukrainian attitude to Russia. They are killers to us. It doesn’t mean that we don’t want peace."

He added that Ukraine was looking for reassurance that the U.S. remained committed to supporting it.

Baier then asked if Trump deserved an apology for how the White House meeting unfolded. Zelenskyy responded:

"I respect the president and I respect the American people, and I think that we have to be very open and very honest and I’m not sure that we did something very bad."

He also underlined the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries:

"We need to be partners. We need to be free."

Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.