Zelensky: No Grudge With Trump, Warns Sanctions Relief Would Empower Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has no personal feud with U.S. President Donald Trump but warned that lifting sanctions on Russia would only make President Vladimir Putin stronger. Zelensky made the remarks in a CNN interview amid deteriorating U.S.-Ukraine relations, following Trump's fuel purchase deal with Russia and partial sanctions relief. He urged allies to maintain pressure and provide more air defense and missile assistance, while noting Putin agreed to November talks without specifics. Zelensky dismissed the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory, saying land concerns people's lives, not kilometers. He also said Starshield military service has not fully resumed and Ukraine lacks sufficient interceptor missiles despite restored intelligence sharing.