Trump-Zelenskyy Ties Grow Closer After UN Meeting, Zelenskyy Says
Ukrainian president describes improved communications with the former U.S. leader and signals continued support, even as discussions hint at potential territorial concessions in peace talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his relationship with former President Donald Trump has grown closer, with more frequent calls and meetings and a stronger alignment on how to handle Russia's war, in an exclusive interview with Fox News following a United Nations meeting. The remarks, aired on Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier, reflected a notable shift in tone as Kyiv seeks broad Western backing for its defense and any future peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy told Baier that the two leaders now communicate more often than before and that their approach to the war has become more aligned. He said the evolving dynamic has been influenced, in part, by the way former President Putin has interacted with Trump in public exchanges, suggesting that Moscow’s messaging to Trump has shaped their conversations and, by extension, Kyiv's strategic planning. The Ukrainian president asserted that relations between him and Trump are better today and that frequent phone calls and meetings have helped establish a common perspective on how to respond to Moscow’s aggression.
During the program, Baier read part of a Truth Social post in which Trump described Ukraine, with European and NATO backing, as capable of reclaiming all its territory. Zelenskyy acknowledged that the outlook surprised him but said he found the signals hopeful, stressing that Trump appeared eager to stand with Ukraine through the end of the war. Zelenskyy framed Trump’s comments as a positive sign about continued U.S. support, even as public rhetoric hints at complex negotiations and strategic considerations.
He added that Trump’s position has shifted toward acknowledging that simply swapping territories is not a fair or viable basis for peace. Zelenskyy said the United States must remain a strong ally for Ukraine so Kyiv can pursue peace on terms that reflect its security needs and its people’s protection. The interview underscored Zelenskyy’s view that the Trump administration’s backing is crucial, even as Washington weighs different paths to end the conflict.
As the interview progressed, Zelenskyy portrayed the conversation with Trump as the clearest signal yet that Washington remains committed to defending Ukraine’s sovereignty. He said Kyiv is ready for peace but must be in a strong position when negotiations begin, a stance that aligns with Kyiv’s broader strategy of seeking durable security guarantees and Western support. Zelenskyy also stressed that any peace framework would need to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, even as negotiators explore compromises.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the interview. The interview’s timing and tone come amid ongoing international diplomacy surrounding Ukraine and the broader war with Russia, with Kyiv seeking to maintain leverage while awaiting the next phase of Western support and potential diplomatic breakthroughs.
The Fox News conversation adds to a broader narrative about how Kyiv views the role of former and current U.S. leaders in its fight against Russia. Zelenskyy indicated that his government will continue to coordinate with allies in Washington and elsewhere to ensure a strong security posture while pursuing a path to peace that preserves Ukraine’s borders and national sovereignty. The interview did not provide new policy specifics or a timeline, but it underscored Ukraine’s reliance on robust, long-term Western support as it navigates an unpredictable strategic landscape.