Zelensky denies personal feud with Trump, warns easing sanctions would strengthen Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has no personal conflict with Donald Trump but warned that easing sanctions on Russia would strengthen Vladimir Putin, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Zelensky's conciliatory remarks follow a heated dispute after Trump announced a deal to buy Russian fuel and suspended some sanctions, which Ukraine saw as siding with Moscow. Zelensky stressed the issue is not personal, but reiterated that Putin is "playing" and does not want to end the war. The comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in St. Petersburg, and as Ukraine faces shortages of interceptor missiles. Zelensky said Kyiv needs allies to maintain sanctions and provide better missiles, while ruling out recognizing Russian-occupied territories.