"It is very painful," Zelenskyy demands transparency in US-Ukraine relations

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, hailed the strong strategic relations with the United States of America and expressed gratitude for support amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "I have always wanted to hide nothing and never lie to the President of the United States," he remarked.

The Ukrainian president stated, "But we have always built our relationship on honesty, fairness, and, most importantly, transparency. Because when you lie while your people are at war, it is very painful."

We have always had important, strong strategic relations with the United States of America. Our bilateral relationship began developing particularly actively during the full-scale war. I am grateful for all the support. But we have always built our relationship on honesty, fairness, and, most importantly, transparency. Because when you lie while your people are at war, it is very painful. That is why I have always wanted to hide nothing and never lie to the President of the United States. In any case, we have more in common than America does with Russia. Most people in Ukraine and the United States of America understand this. We would like to continue having the same open, honest, and pragmatic relations with America that we have today. The position is very simple. We support a mutual energy ceasefire. If we are talking about the idea that we should not strike back at Russian energy facilities after they strike our gas, electricity, oil – everything. The Russians are striking. America cannot stop them. Let's believe that America really wants to, but cannot. Then, as a partner, I am willing to meet President Trump halfway: if they strike us and we cannot strike back – that is neither honest nor fair – but if this is what you need, if you cannot rein Putin in, then give us interceptor missiles so I can protect our energy infrastructure. You couldn't stop Putin – but you helped Ukraine. From an interview with Corriere della Sera. (2/3)

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 20, 2026