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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Donald Trump's claim that he is more difficult to deal with than Vladimir Putin, telling Euronews that negotiating with the US president is easier than dealing with the Russian leader.
Speaking to Euronews on Friday at an EU summit in Brussels, Zelenskyy was asked about Trump's criticism and whether European leaders supported Ukraine's continued strikes on Russian oil refineries despite pressure from Washington to halt them.
"Well, it's easier dealing with him than with Putin. I'm talking about Trump," Zelenskyy said.
"I've had several meetings with the President of the United States of America, and we always find topics for discussion and decision-making."
The remarks come amid tensions between Kyiv and Washington over Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and Trump's decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel. The US president has criticised the strikes, blaming them for contributing to rising global fuel prices.
Zelenskyy said his priority was to defend Ukraine's national interests, regardless of external pressure.
"I defend the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people exclusively. We were attacked, occupied, and our people were killed. It is only logical that we have the right to defend ourselves," he said.
"This is entirely lawful, and so we will do just that. We will stand firm."
He did not directly address whether European leaders had backed further strikes on Russian refineries, instead reiterating Ukraine's right to defend itself.
Zelenskyy accuses Putin of blocking peace efforts
The Ukrainian president said Ukraine remained committed to ending the war through negotiations but accused Putin of having no genuine interest in a peace agreement.
"Putin does not want negotiations right now, in any format," he said, describing Moscow's rhetoric as "a parody of a genuine desire to end the war".
"He does not want the war to end. I am convinced that this is why even the Donbas is too small for him."
Zelenskyy warns against easing sanctions on Russia
Zelenskyy also warned that easing restrictions on Russian diesel could lead to further concessions, undermining Western efforts to limit Moscow's ability to finance its war against Ukraine.
"In my view, we cannot accept these diesel deals, these agreements, because gas deals will follow. I am absolutely certain of this. After gas, sanctions will be lifted on other things as well," he said.
"It will all come down to the banking system, individuals, and the chemical industry."
He also voiced concern over the future of frozen Russian assets, suggesting they could be at risk if Western countries continued to make concessions to Moscow.
"If I do not defend this, who will do it for us? I mean diplomatically," Zelenskyy said.
European leaders have meanwhile sought to maintain pressure on Moscow despite Washington's decision to ease some sanctions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that the EU would not lift its sanctions until Russia ended the war. European Council President António Costa called for increased pressure on Moscow rather than further concessions.