Zelenskyy Warns Lifting Sanctions Would Strengthen Putin, Says Trump Feud Not Personal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday he opposes the US lifting sanctions on Russia, warning the move would strengthen President Vladimir Putin and undermine efforts to end the conflict, while stressing his differences with President Donald Trump are not personal. Zelenskyy told CNN in Kyiv he is against "any lifting of sanctions" because it would make Putin stronger, following Trump's announcement that eased sanctions in exchange for Russian diesel releases. Relations between Washington and Kyiv have deteriorated sharply, with Zelenskyy previously criticizing Trump for being "on the wrong side of history." Trump defended the decision Wednesday, citing the release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard and arguing sanctions would jeopardize delicate negotiations. US envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg, while Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Putin's willingness to end the four-and-a-half-year conflict, saying Putin "plays with the lives of other people."