The key facts

  • On Friday, Trump suspended sanctions against Russia passed by Congress, calling it in the US national interest.
  • Zelensky reported a temporary blocking of US intelligence data and restrictions on Starlink and Starshield, linking SpaceX's decision to a signal from American authorities.
  • Zelensky remains hopeful for a phone call with US negotiators and a meeting in the coming days.

Warning of a 'historic mistake'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday on NBC News' Meet the Press program that a formal alignment of the United States with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a 'historic mistake.' At the same time, he said he still considers US President Donald Trump an ally. 'We want to trust him. I hope he will change his decisions, because I believe these are all mistakes — they will not help either us or the United States,' Zelensky said.

Sanctions lifted and a diesel fuel deal

On Friday, Trump suspended sweeping new sanctions against Russia passed by Congress, stating in an executive order that the move 'serves the national interests of the United States.' The lifting came days after an agreement with Putin to release hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel fuel onto the world market amid rising fuel prices. Zelensky expressed disappointment at the lifting of the sanctions, referring to legislation named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whom he described as 'a great supporter of peace and Ukraine.'

Intelligence and Starlink

Zelensky said intelligence sharing with the US was temporarily 'blocked,' depriving Ukraine of information about incoming ballistic missiles. According to him, after a multi-day interruption, access was 'unblocked.' Restrictions also affected Starlink satellite internet, which is critical for intercepting jet-powered drones. Ukrainian officials, Zelensky noted, believe SpaceX's decision to restrict Starlink was a response to 'a message from the American government.' Restrictions on the use of the military version of Starlink — Starshield — remain in place. Asked whether the decision was made by Trump or SpaceX head Elon Musk, Zelensky replied that he did not know, but believes 'both' were involved. According to him, if Trump decides tomorrow to lift the restriction, 'everything will immediately work as before.'

Reaction to Trump's remarks and prospects for talks

Responding to Trump's remark that he is 'harder to deal with than Putin,' Zelensky said he had been 'very honest' with the US president. 'Maybe it's not very polite,' he said, 'but it's better to have partners who are very open and clear than those who are murderers, even with a smile on their face.' On a possible formal US-Russia rapprochement, he said: 'If these two countries are together... we will not win and will not be able to hold out.' Zelensky added that on Sunday evening he is due to hold a phone call with American negotiators and hopes for a meeting in the coming days: 'I am very open to this, even with all the difficult circumstances.'