‘He’s playing with fire!’: Trump warns Putin while Zelenskyy says at least he tells the truth, unlike lying Russian leader

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed his complex relationship with the White House during a meeting with journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday. He meant that despite tensions, he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin causes more irritation to the administration than he does.

According to Politico, Zelenskyy defended his approach to communication, stating that while he might say unpleasant things, he maintains honesty in his statements. He contrasted this with Putin’s approach, suggesting that the Russian leader’s pleasant words often mask deception.

“In a partnership, you can be very uncomfortable, but be partners,” Zelenskyy explained. Meanwhile, Trump issued a stern warning to Putin on Truth Social, declaring “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”

Russia prepares new offensive as Ukraine seeks additional sanctions

The Ukrainian leader continues to push for increased sanctions against Russia, arguing that only heightened pressure can drive Moscow toward peace negotiations. While the European Union has implemented its 17th round of sanctions, the United States has yet to impose new penalties following Russia’s rejection of Ukraine’s 30-day ceasefire proposal.

Zelenskyy expressed openness to peace talks “in any format,” including direct discussions with Putin or with Trump’s mediation. He suggested Turkey, Switzerland, and the Vatican as potential venues for negotiations, while dismissing Belarus as an unsuitable location due to its support of Russia’s invasion.

According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces are amassing for a significant offensive, with over 50,000 troops reportedly gathered near Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region border. This military buildup comes as Moscow continues to escalate its drone and rocket attacks in recent weeks.

The Ukrainian president projects that by summer 2026, Russian military production will decline due to sanctions’ impact, potentially leading to the war’s conclusion. However, he emphasized that ending the conflict requires Russian political will, noting that Moscow’s recent rejection of Ukraine’s 30-day ceasefire offer and subsequent escalation of attacks demonstrate current unwillingness to pursue peace. American special envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed that Kyiv has submitted conditions for a peace deal to the United States, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow is developing its own peace memorandum.