Volodymyr Zelensky on the International Stage: Criticism of Russian Narrative, Western Support, and Rearmament

On the eve of an international summit, Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to several European media outlets, including France 2, from the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. This was an opportunity for the Ukrainian president to share his vision of the conflict, warn about Russian influence in American discourse, and renew his calls for support from Western allies.

The White House Under Russian Influence?

Zelensky strongly criticized recent statements made by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy, who claimed that Vladimir Putin “wants peace” and has no intention of “taking over all of Europe.” According to the Ukrainian president, these remarks frequently echo “the Kremlin’s narrative” and weaken U.S. pressure on Moscow. More broadly, he believes that the United States is “very often under the influence of the Russian narrative,” a worrying trend given that American support for Ukraine was temporarily suspended in March before being reinstated after negotiations in Saudi Arabia.

A Black Sea Ceasefire Benefiting Moscow

When asked about the partial ceasefire in the Black Sea, Zelensky expressed skepticism, stating that this cessation of hostilities benefits Russia more than Ukraine. He argued that Moscow is seeking to expand its control over food transport corridors, a move Kyiv is determined to resist.

Putin’s Fear and Economic Sanctions

Regarding Vladimir Putin, Zelensky stated that the Russian leader fears only one thing: “the destabilization of Russian society.” He emphasized the importance of economic sanctions as a means of pressure and mentioned the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s military efforts. “We want to spend them quickly on armaments and invest in production in Ukraine and Europe,” he declared.

Europe’s Rearmament and NATO as a Security Guarantee

Zelensky also called for a rapid strengthening of military capabilities for Ukraine and its European allies. “If there is a ceasefire, we must strengthen ourselves very quickly,” he warned, emphasizing that better-equipped armies would deter Russia from resuming the conflict. He also reaffirmed that “NATO is the best security guarantee” for his country, while regretting that the United States is not yet ready to support Ukraine’s membership.

A Renewed Call for Western Support

Despite his criticisms, Zelensky expressed his “gratitude to America” for its assistance to Ukraine and urged his allies to reinforce military aid, particularly in air defense. He stressed the need to fully equip Ukrainian brigades, asserting that they are “the last barrier between the Russians and the civilized world.”