THE Donald Trump can end the war between Russia and Ukraine – but he must know where he is with Vladimir Putinsaid the president of Ukraine Volodimir Zelenski.

“Russia is just lying to Trump,” Zelenski told an interview Wednesday at the Axel Springer Global Reporters network, whose Politico is a member. “Most of the Heads of State and Government share my point of view and I hope that America sees it and understands that. This is the most important thing. “

The pressure lever to end the war is on Trump’s side, Zelenski said, because “Putin understands nothing but power, and America has this power.”

Referring to Trump, Zelenski said: “How powerful the sanctions package will be depends on himself. The speed at which the decisions are made depends on him. “

Ever since Trump returned to the White House, he has not shown much interest in putting pressure on Putin, but on the contrary, he appeared with Zelenski, culminating in the notorious tension at the Oval Office in late February.

Asked about the incident, Zelenski said sarcastically: “I don’t think he brought us closer.” And he added: “But that belongs to the past. And today we have to do everything we can to ensure that the next meeting at the Oval Office will be successful for both countries. “

The US and Ukraine reiterated the “constructive” dialogue, including a private conversation between the Vatican presidents in April, which was “friendly,” Zelenski said.

With the peace negotiations in Constantinople gaining little results and Russia continuing the barrage of attacks on Ukraine, Trump expressed his frustration over Putin and doubts about Moscow’s willingness to conclude. But after a telephone conversation with Putin last week, Trump compared Ukraine and Russia with two crushed children and claimed that he was considering the issue of further sanctions on Moscow.

Asked if he believes Trump changes his mind every day depending on who he has talked to on the phone, Zelenski replied: “I don’t know.” But he added: “Trump sees that the Russian side is not honest about war. Russia is not honest. “

Although he recognized the recent Russian advance in the front, Zelenski insisted that Moscow has not achieved its goals in the war and slowly “bleeding”. Putin knows that the Russian economy is suffering and trying to save time, Zelenski said. The stricter sanctions will further exhaust the Russian arsenal, he said, leading to fewer attacks in Ukraine.

Russia can only win if Western partners leave Ukraine, Zelenski said – an American withdrawal would be a “perfect scenario” for Putin.

At the end of the interview, when asked how often he was doubtful, Zelenski noted that even Winston Churchill experienced moments of despair when he fought the Nazis in World War II. “I have no less doubts than anyone else in Ukraine. But the difference is that I am the president, “he said. “So, by the end of the war, I will never show moments of weakness. And I will never share my dark days with anyone. “