Jeremy Bowen
International Editor in Paris
Watch: BBC asks Zelensky about Russian terms for ceasefire agreement
Ukrainian President Volodimia Zelensky said he hopes the US will “support strong” in the face of Russia’s demands to lift sanctions as a condition for a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
Moscow said a maritime ceasefire was announced on Tuesday to allow safe passage of commercial vessels only if Western restrictions on Russian food and fertilizer trade were lifted.
Zelensky was speaking in a panel interview with journalists from across Europe in Paris.
Asked the BBC if the US would resist Russian pressure, he said: “I hope so. God’s blessing, they will. But we will see.”
The White House said Tuesday that Russia and Ukrainian delegations have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea after three days of separate talks with American Saudi officials.
However, a few hours later, the Kremlin issued its own statement containing a list of terms.
The requests include revoking Western sanctions on financial institutions involved in agricultural trade and restoring access to the Swift International Payment System, a network that promotes a secure financial message.
Trump said he was “seeing” the US government’s demand to lift restrictions in Moscow, but the EU said Wednesday it would not consider removing sanctions before the “unconditional” withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.
Speaking to the Paris panel, Zelensky said he was “very grateful” for the bipartisan support from the US, but he feared that some people would be “under the influence of the Russian story.”
“We can’t agree with these stories,” he said.
When asked whether US President Donald Trump had close ties with him and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky said he didn’t know.
“I don’t know – it’s difficult for me to say,” he said. “I don’t know what kind of relationship he has. I don’t know how many conversations he had.”
The Ukrainian leader was also asked about comments from Trump’s mission, Steve Witkov, who rejected “ambitious” European efforts to support Ukraine in an interview last week.
In response, Zelensky said he would not rush to drive towards conclusions.
He said Witkov, who has a background in property development, “has no experience.”
“As far as I know, he knows how to buy and sell real estate, but that’s a bit different,” he said.
He also said Europe was “significantly strengthened” during the war.
Zelensky says Americans are under the influence of Russian stories
The BBC also asked Zelensky how it is remembered in a history book: the man who saved Ukraine, or the man who defeated it?
“I don’t know what a history book will write about me,” he said. “That’s not my purpose or goal.”
He said his goal was to instead protect Ukraine and see his children “walking the streets without hiding.”
“I will do everything I can until my day is over, in order to protect Ukraine as much as I can,” he added.
As to whether Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO, Zelensky said his “hardened” country would strengthen the alliance, but he noted that the Trump administration ruled out Kiev membership.
The interview took place shortly after Zelensky met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. There, in his honor, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated by the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
The Ukrainian president returned to Europe, rallying his allies and persuaded him to take Putin’s threat seriously.
They are doing so now – some may scramble to do so – but previously they relied on Americans to give heavy lifts in terms of military capabilities.
After everything Trump said in the last two months, Europeans realise that Americans may not be there in the future, and that’s what’s focusing on their minds.
President Zelensky’s challenge is not just feelings, but to have them offer hard cash commitments.
His meeting with Macron has already proven fruitful, with the French president unveiling a new 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion, £1.6 billion) package of military aid for a war-torn country.
Referring to the demand to lift the Kremlin sanctions, Macron said Moscow cannot “determine the terms” for peace, adding that it is too early to consider lifting European sanctions on Russia.
It is ahead of the European leaders of Paris co-hosted on Thursday, co-hosted by Macron and British Prime Minister Kiel to discuss the war in Ukraine.
“The “coalition of will” that does not include the United States is seeking to form an agreement on what Europe and other countries can offer to maintain a future ceasefire, if agreed.
Sir Kiel is expected to tell the conference that “Europe is stepping up to play its role in protecting Ukraine’s future.”
“Now Putin needs to show that he is willing to play the ball,” he says.
