Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Accuses Putin of Trying to Deceive the US

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an exclusive interview on September 16, 2025, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of actively trying to deceive the United States and evade international sanctions. Zelenskyy warned that Putin is "doing everything he can to avoid sanctions" and agreed when asked whether the Kremlin leader was attempting to trick the US president, particularly in the wake of last month's Alaska summit between Putin and former US President Donald Trump, from which Ukraine was excluded.

Zelenskyy expressed concern that the summit had provided Putin with a platform for "de-isolation," allowing him to gain public dialogue and open doors to further international summits. He argued that such diplomatic space only emboldens Putin, making it more difficult to compel Russia to end its war in Ukraine. "It is very important not to give Mr Putin this space, because otherwise he won’t feel compelled that he has to stop the war," Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that the Russian president "only understands force" and must face much stronger measures.

Zelenskyy Calls for Stronger US Action

The Ukrainian leader urged the United States not to wait for other countries before acting against Russia, stating, "I think the US is strong enough on its own. They can make this happen quicker and all that’s lacking now is a strong sanctions package from the US." Zelenskyy expressed frustration with the West's failure to impose sufficient costs on Moscow, especially as Russian strikes continue and recent incursions into NATO airspace have been reported over Poland and Romania.

Zelenskyy also commented on the US administration's approach to sanctions, noting that delays in applying further measures would only allow Russia to better prepare and circumvent restrictions. He cautioned that postponing action would strengthen Moscow's position and undermine efforts to end the conflict.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions

The interview comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions, with former President Trump acknowledging the difficulty of brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia. Trump, who previously claimed he could end the war on "Day One" of his presidency, admitted that the animosity between Zelenskyy and Putin is "unfathomable" and has complicated negotiations. Trump also referred to Russia as the "aggressor" in the conflict, marking a shift in his rhetoric.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington has a clear understanding of potential sanctions it could impose on Russia, signaling ongoing discussions about further punitive measures. The Biden administration has also targeted countries like India for purchasing Russian oil, imposing additional tariffs in an effort to pressure Moscow economically.

Zelenskyy's remarks underscore Ukraine's urgent call for decisive US leadership and highlight concerns that diplomatic overtures to Putin may undermine global efforts to isolate Russia and end the war.