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Zelenskyy urges Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’
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Zelenskyy urges Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’

#Zelenskyy #Trump #Russia #Ukraine #Ceasefire #EU accession #Security guarantees #Missile strike

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Zelenskyy warns Russia using ceasefire to rebuild forces without western security guarantees
  • Ukrainian president calls Putin a 'bad actor' playing games with Trump and the world
  • Zelenskyy pushes for 2027 date for Ukraine's EU accession
  • Ukraine claims successful missile strike on Russian missile production plant
  • Zelenskyy rejects Russian claims Ukraine would use pause to regroup

📖 Full Retelling

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged US President Donald Trump to see through Russian leader Vladimir Putin's 'games' in an interview published February 23, 2026, from Kyiv on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, warning that without firm western security guarantees Moscow would use a ceasefire to rebuild its forces for another assault. In a wide-ranging interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy described the conflict as being at the 'beginning of the end' of Europe's biggest war since World War II while simultaneously expressing concerns about Russia's negotiating tactics. The Ukrainian president accused Putin of using overtures to Trump to weaken Kyiv's position in potential peace talks, stating that 'the Russians are playing games' and not being serious about ending the war. 'I see it, because they are very poor actors. They are playing with Trump and playing with the entire world. That's how it is,' Zelenskyy said, calling Putin 'a bad actor.' Zelenskyy also addressed recent claims by Russian officials of offering economic cooperation deals with the US worth as much as $12 trillion, which he said contained provisions about Ukraine that would potentially exploit natural resources in territories under Russian occupation. He rejected Russia's suggestions that Ukraine would use a temporary halt in fighting to regroup, calling such claims 'demagoguery and lies.' The Ukrainian leader cited intelligence assessments indicating Russia was mobilizing 40,000 troops monthly while losing 35,000, adding that 'a pause is needed by them no less than by us.' 'Ukraine needs a ceasefire — yesterday, today, tomorrow,' he emphasized. 'We don't need a pause. We need the end of the war.'

🏷️ Themes

Diplomacy, Security, EU Integration

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Russia:

🌐 Ukraine 9 shared
🌐 Hungary 3 shared
🌐 CBS News 2 shared
🌐 Sanction 2 shared
🌐 European Union 2 shared
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on x (opens in a new window) Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on facebook (opens in a new window) Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on linkedin (opens in a new window) Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on whatsapp (opens in a new window) Save Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on x (opens in a new window) Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on facebook (opens in a new window) Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on linkedin (opens in a new window) Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges Donald Trump to see through Russia’s ‘games’ on whatsapp (opens in a new window) Save Christopher Miller in Kyiv Published February 23 2026 Jump to comments section Print this page Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free Your guide to what Trump’s second term means for Washington, business and the world Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia and Ukraine were at the “beginning of the end” of Europe’s biggest conflict since the second world war, but urged Washington to see through Vladimir Putin’s negotiating “games”. In a wide-ranging FT interview on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion , the Ukrainian president warned that without firm western security guarantees Moscow would use a ceasefire to rebuild its forces for another assault. Zelenskyy also urged the EU to stop prevaricating and to fix a date for Ukraine’s accession to the bloc, saying it should be as early as 2027. “I want a date. I am asking for it,” he said. “Let us not allow the next leaders or the next generation to face a situation where Russia blocks Ukraine’s EU membership for 50 years.” Speaking from his presidential office in Kyiv, Zelenskyy accused Russia’s leader of using overtures to Donald Trump to weaken Kyiv’s ...
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