Zelensky Rebuts Trump, Demands U.S. Backing as Russia Presses Zaporizhzhia Offensive
Updated (4 articles)
Zelensky publicly rejects Trump’s Putin claim On December 29, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky countered former President Donald Trump’s assertion that Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to “succeed,” insisting Kyiv is defending its sovereignty rather than yielding to Moscow’s vision[1]. He framed the exchange as a diplomatic defense of Ukraine’s independence, emphasizing that any future for Ukraine must be determined by Kyiv, not by Russian ambitions. The Newsweek report notes the pushback was highlighted in both the original December 29 story and a December 30 update, underscoring its immediate news relevance[1].
Zelensky stresses U.S. support as indispensable In a Fox News interview aired December 29, 2025, Zelensky told host Bret Baier that Ukraine cannot prevail against Russia without American assistance and that he does not trust Putin[2]. He referenced a productive meeting with Trump the previous Sunday, linking the appeal for Western aid to ongoing high‑level talks. The Hindu article ties these remarks to a broader narrative of Kyiv seeking concrete U.S. commitments amid intensified Russian operations[2].
Putin orders renewed push in Zaporizhzhia On December 29, 2025, Putin directed Russian forces to intensify efforts to seize full control of the Zaporizhzhia region, signaling a fresh offensive front[2]. This directive coincided with Zelensky’s public pleas for U.S. backing, highlighting a parallel escalation on the battlefield and in diplomatic arenas. The timing illustrates the pressure Kyiv faces as Moscow escalates its campaign while Kyiv leans on allied support[2].
Kyiv ties peace prospects to partner pressure In a Telegram post dated December 28, 2025, Zelensky asserted that final peace decisions depend on Kyiv’s partners and urged them to increase pressure on Moscow[3]. He positioned the upcoming Florida talks with Trump as a strategic moment to rally allied influence, suggesting that stronger international leverage could shape any settlement before the New Year. The article emphasizes Kyiv’s strategy of coupling diplomatic outreach with calls for heightened sanctions or other punitive measures against Russia[3].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Zelensky Pushes Back After Trump Says Putin Wants Ukraine to ‘Succeed’ – Highlights Zelensky’s diplomatic rebuttal to Trump’s claim, framing Ukraine’s future as a matter of sovereignty, and notes the story’s rapid update cycle.
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2.
The Hindu: Zelenskyy urges U.S. support and says he does not trust Putin – Details Zelensky’s Fox News interview stressing the necessity of U.S. aid, his distrust of Putin, a productive meeting with Trump, and Putin’s December 29 order to intensify the Zaporizhzhia offensive.
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The Hindu: Zelenskyy says peace decisions depend on Kyiv's partners ahead of Florida talks with Trump – Covers Zelensky’s Telegram message calling on allies to pressure Moscow, linking the appeal to imminent talks in Florida and underscoring the partner‑dependent nature of any peace settlement.
Timeline
Dec 20, 2025 – Zelensky urges the United States to increase pressure on Moscow, saying only Washington has the leverage to push Russia toward negotiations and calling for additional arms supplies and broader sanctions [4].
Dec 20, 2025 – Washington proposes the first face‑to‑face Ukraine‑Russia talks in months, but Zelensky expresses skepticism that the talks will yield new results [4].
Dec 20, 2025 – Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrives in Miami for negotiations mediated by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, describing the talks as constructive and ongoing [4].
Dec 20, 2025 – President Vladimir Putin vows to continue Russia’s offensive, announces the capture of two villages in Sumy and Donetsk, and floats a temporary pause in strikes to allow Ukraine’s presidential election, a proposal Zelensky calls unacceptable [4].
Dec 20, 2025 – A Russian missile strike on Odesa’s port kills eight civilians, wounds dozens, and hits a civilian bus, underscoring the humanitarian toll of intensified coastal attacks [4].
Dec 28, 2025 – Zelensky posts on Telegram that Kyiv is working to end the war but final peace decisions depend on its partners, urging them to increase pressure on Moscow ahead of his scheduled talks with President Trump in Florida [3].
Dec 28, 2025 – In the same Telegram message, Zelensky frames the upcoming Florida talks as an opportunity for partners to help resolve the conflict before the New Year [3].
Dec 29, 2025 – In a Fox News interview with Bret Baier, Zelensky tells viewers that Ukraine cannot win without U.S. backing and that he does not trust Vladimir Putin, while noting a productive Sunday meeting with Donald Trump [2].
Dec 29, 2025 – President Putin orders Russian forces to intensify the push to seize full control of the Zaporizhzhia region, signaling a renewed Russian offensive as Zelensky appeals for U.S. support [2].
Dec 30, 2025 – Zelensky pushes back against former President Donald Trump’s claim that Putin wants Ukraine to succeed, asserting that Kyiv defends its sovereignty rather than allowing Moscow to shape Ukraine’s future [1].
All related articles (4 articles)
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Newsweek: Zelensky Pushes Back After Trump Says Putin Wants Ukraine to ‘Succeed’
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The Hindu: Zelenskyy urges U.S. support and says he does not trust Putin
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The Hindu: Zelenskyy says peace decisions depend on Kyiv's partners ahead of Florida talks with Trump
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The Hindu: Zelenskyy urges U.S. to pressure Russia as Miami talks unfold