Ukraine and U.S. have shared values, unlike imperialist Russia – Zelensky

He said this in an interview with The Guardian, published on Sunday, Ukrinform reports.

Zelensky noted that the United States remains Ukraine’s strategic partner.

“Trump was elected by his people. We have to respect the choice made by the American people, just as I am elected by my people. The US is our strategic partner, for many years, perhaps even decades and centuries,” the Ukrainian President said.

The two countries have deep shared values, in contrast with an “imperialist” and revisionist Russia, he added.

Zelensky denied media claims that Trump had allegedly tossed aside battlefield maps during their meeting at the White House in October, where the Ukrainian delegation had arrived hoping for deliveries of Tomahawk cruise missiles. “He didn’t throw anything. I am sure,” Zelensky said. He described their relations as “normal”, “businesslike” and “constructive”.

According to him, the Ukrainian side presented Trump and his team with three stands and a list of measures, including weapons supplies and economic sanctions that would “weaken” Moscow. The aim was to reduce Russia’s ability to bomb Ukraine and force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table.

Zelensky noted that “everyone in the world” is afraid of Trump. “It’s the truth,” he added. When asked whether this applies to him as well, he replied: “No … we are not enemies with America. We are friends. So why should we be afraid?”

Commenting on claims that the world order established after 1945 has come to an end, the President stressed: “No one should impose anything on you from outside. I want to live in a world where I am simply respected. Not intimidated, not killed. I want to live in such a world.”