US ignoring evidence Russia is helping Iran because it trusts Putin, says Zelenskyy [View all]

Ukraine’s president tells podcast he has tried to draw White House’s attention to collaboration between Moscow and Tehran over strikes on US bases

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“I said this publicly. Did we hear a reaction from the US to Russia that they have to stop it?” Zelenskyy asked rhetorically. He added: “The problem is they trust Putin. And it’s a pity.”

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Asked why this was, he said that Trump’s two negotiators – Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – had “spent too much time” with Putin and his senior officials.

The pair travelled to Moscow five times last year and have yet to visit Kyiv. The Trump administration has piled pressure on Ukraine to cede its eastern Donbas region, the scene of intense fighting. Putin has suggested he would agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine gave up the territory.

Zelenskyy said he had a greater understanding of the Russian leader’s psychology and actual war aims than the White House. Ukraine’s president said Putin would not stop if he got the Donbas, and would next try to seize the regional capitals of Dnipro and Kharkiv.

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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/us-ignoring-evidence-russia-is-helping-iran-because-it-trusts-putin-says-zelenskyy