Zelensky to Trump: Putin is Stronger than Hamas.. Press More!

SadaNews - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged his American counterpart Donald Trump to exert more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

In an interview aired by NBC News, Zelensky described Putin as "stronger than Hamas".

When asked if Trump should be tougher on Putin after proposing a ceasefire plan in Gaza, he replied in English: "Yes, even more so, because Putin (his situation) is similar, but he is stronger than Hamas".

He added: "It is a broader war, and he has the second largest army in the world. That’s why pressure must be increased".

The interview was broadcast after Zelensky returned from a trip to Washington, during which he failed to secure long-range Tomahawk missiles.

Zelensky met Trump at the White House after requesting Tomahawk missiles for weeks, hoping to capitalize on the U.S. president's increasing frustration with Putin following the failure of the Alaska summit to achieve progress regarding the end of the war in Ukraine.

However, the Ukrainian president returned empty-handed, while Trump is seeking a new diplomatic breakthrough following last week’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

During his interview, Zelensky also called for his involvement in the upcoming planned talks in Budapest between Trump and Putin, saying: "If we really want to achieve a fair and lasting peace, we need both parties of this tragedy".

He added: "Yes, he is an occupier, but Ukraine is suffering and fighting," stressing the necessity of involving Ukrainians in any deal that includes them.

However, in an interview aired on Sunday shortly after Zelensky's interview, Trump again indicated that he was not ready to provide Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.

He said on a program on Fox: "We also need them. We can’t give all our weapons to Ukraine".

Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in recent weeks, depriving thousands of heating and lighting as the cold winter approaches.