Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko told British channel Sky News about his message to Donald Trump. US support for Ukraine is “extremely important” and will be felt beyond the country's borders, the former boxer said in an interview with Sky reporter Trevor Phillips.
Vitali Klitschko has called on Donald Trump to “take Ukraine's side” in peace talks with Russia, but the Kyiv mayor admitted to Sky News that he sometimes finds it difficult to understand messages from the US President.
Speaking on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, the former world heavyweight boxing champion said it was “extremely important” for Washington to side with his country in its fight against Russia.
Klitschko said Ukraine needs modern weapons, not NATO soldiers
When asked if he was confident that the US President would support Ukraine's efforts to keep as much territory as possible in peace negotiations, Klitschko replied thoughtfully:
“This is America, it's important. It's extremely important.”
The Kiev mayor argued that the US could bring broader stability by supporting Ukraine, adding:
“If we are protecting our national interests, if we are talking about peace, if we are talking about democracy, then the Trump administration must stand with Ukraine. Ukraine is the largest country in Europe and stability in the largest countries in Europe can ensure stability throughout the region.”
But when asked by Sky News whether he trusted Trump, Klitschko, who has been mayor of Kyiv since 2014, was forced to pause for a long moment before responding:
“I try to trust him, but sometimes I don't understand very well President Trump's messages regarding peace in Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine is very important.”
Sky News recalls that peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, brokered by the United States, continue and the final round took place in Geneva early last week.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said Wednesday that “significant progress” had been made in Geneva, but in an evening speech, Volodymyr Zelensky said he was not satisfied with the progress of the negotiations.
“So far, we cannot say that the results are enough,” the Ukrainian said. “The military has discussed a number of issues seriously and substantively. Delicate political issues, possible compromises and the necessary meeting of leaders have not been fully considered.”
Mayor Klitschko told Sky News that any peace agreement should not be a “surrender agreement”.
Speaking to Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity, five European intelligence chiefs said this week they believed Russia did not want to end hostilities quickly, Sky News added.
Four of these figures said Moscow was using the peace talks to push for sanctions relief and business deals, with one saying: “Russia is not looking for a peace deal. It is pursuing its strategic goals and those goals have not changed.”
