Paris: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that the US is ‘very often’ under the influence of Russian narratives on the war in his country, which has been ongoing for over three years. ‘I can’t be ungrateful for the US for everything they’ve done for us, but they today – very often I believe, unfortunately, are under the influence of Russian narratives, and we can’t agree to these narratives,’ Zelenskyy said in an interview with a panel of European journalists in the French capital late Wednesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy expressed that the US and its people have consistently supported Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022, highlighting the bipartisan support and continual aid flowing to the war-torn country. He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to fighting Russia’s narratives ‘wherever they are,’ stating, ‘We just don’t have any other choice. We are fighting for our independence and for our existence. We can only open up more truth, we should show by our examples, as we are fighting on the battlefield.’
When asked about US special envoy Steve Witkoff and whether the Ukrainian president believes the White House has been ‘peddling Kremlin propaganda,’ Zelenskyy responded that Witkoff frequently quotes the Kremlin. He expressed concern that this approach would not bring them closer to peace, saying, ‘And I believe that, sadly, it will weaken US pressure on Russia. We can only correct this informational field through our actions. We are trying to do that.’
Zelenskyy also highlighted the necessity for a clear and decisive stance from the US in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing that Kyiv desires the Americans to be firmly on its side. He concluded by noting, ‘Even if America today has chosen to be in the middle, in the middle means in the middle, not closer to the Kremlin, and that’s important.’