Zelenskiy says Putin trying to deceive Trump to delay sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Sky News that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is trying to deceive U.S. President Donald Trump and delay new sanctions.

Commenting on the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska in August, Zelenskiy said the meeting “gave a lot” to the Kremlin chief. He argued that if Ukraine had joined the talks, the outcome could have been different.

“Putin is doing everything to prevent Trump and the United States from imposing new sanctions. If their introduction is delayed, the Russians will be better prepared,” he said.

Zelenskiy said the summit helped Putin break political isolation, adding: “He got photos with President Trump, a public dialogue, and that opens doors to other meetings.”

The Ukrainian leader stressed that sanctions alone are insufficient, saying Putin “understands only the language of force” and urging the U.S. and Europe to increase and accelerate pressure.