The journalist asked the president if he believes that Putin was trying to manipulate Trump and “drive him into a trap.”
“He definitely wants to deceive the United States. He certainly does everything so that the United States and President Trump do not impose sanctions on him,” Zelensky answered.
He expressed confidence that in Moscow they had already prepared for possible additional sanctions against the Russian Federation.
“And if you still postpone the imposition of sanctions, I think the Russians can be prepared even more. And then they are not so afraid of sanctions. Although, of course, they are afraid of them. So far. […] Especially if there are total sanctions, ”Zelensky said.
Context
Sanctions against Russia were introduced in response to its attack on Ukraine back in 2014. After a full -scale invasion of Russian troops on February 24, 2022, restrictions were significantly expanded.
On August 25, 2025, Trump said that “very serious consequences” may occur if the aggressor country does not sit at the negotiating table with Ukraine, and threatened to “intervene” if there is no progress in two weeks in two weeks (This period has already passed). The next day, Trump threatened the Russian Economic War if she refuses negotiations with Ukraine.
The media reported that Trump had a hot conversation with the participants in the meeting of the Coalition of those who wish “ In Paris September 4. Trump accused the EU countries of buying Russian oil, which helps the Russian military machine. The White House said that Trump during the conversation also called on European leaders to put pressure on China so that Beijing stops buying Russian oil. On September 8, FT wrote that the EU is considering sanctions against China due to the purchase of Russian energy carriers.
After September 7, the US Ministry of Finance, after the blow of the Russian Federation in Ukraine on the night of September 7, stated that the United States is ready to increase pressure on Russia, but we need support for European partners. If the United States and the EU introduce more sanctions and secondary tariffs for countries buying Russian oil, the Russian economy will completely collapse, said the head of the American Ministry of Finance Scott Immovation. On the same day, Trump said that he was ready for the second stage of sanctions against Russia.
September 14 Trump suggested What is probably to him will have to intervene in the negotiations of the partiesbecause “Zelensky and Putin hate each other so much that they can hardly talk.”
