Following the highly publicized breakdown of Ukraine-US talks on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to apologize for his heated exchange with US President Donald Trump. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy acknowledged the incident was “not good for both sides” but maintained his stance.
While Zelenskyy expressed regret that the clash was televised, he emphasized the importance of being respectful. “Please be correct. I want to be polite,” he said. However, when asked if he owed President Trump an apology, he responded, “No. I respect the President. And I respect the American people. I’m not sure we did something bad.”
Zelenskyy voiced concern over the potential consequences of the US withdrawing support, stating that it would be “difficult for us” to defend Ukraine against Russia without American backing. Reflecting on the heated exchange, he questioned the current state of Ukraine-US relations: “Where is our friendship?”
Emphasizing his commitment to “justice and lasting peace” in Ukraine, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of the mineral deal as part of the broader security guarantee structure. This agreement, intended to foster joint US-Ukraine investment in rare-earth mineral extraction, was overshadowed by the dramatic confrontation.
When asked about Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin—who some critics have labeled Trump’s “lap dog”—Zelenskyy expressed hope for balanced diplomacy. “I want him to be in the middle,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “I want him to be on our side.”
Despite the tense exchange, Zelenskyy remained optimistic about repairing his relationship with Trump. “Yes, of course,” he affirmed when asked if reconciliation was possible.
As the interview concluded, Zelenskyy offered a broader apology for the public nature of the dispute but stopped short of directing it at Trump. “We are thankful and sorry for this. I mean this, we wanted very much to have strong relations,” he said.
