Trump praises Zelenskyy: “He is brave, doing a pretty good job against Russia”

US President Donald Trump made notable remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while speaking to reporters at the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump stated that Zelenskyy is “doing a pretty good job” in the war against Russia.

Trump commented on the Ukrainian leader, saying, “No matter how you look at it, he is doing a pretty good job.” Noting that the war has led to heavy losses for both sides, Trump said, “At least he is resisting. A lot of people are dying on both sides, but I think he is doing a pretty good job. You have to say he is brave. They have great equipment, great men, fighters,” he said.

The remarks came at a time when the Kyiv administration is attempting to pressure the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula through attacks on energy infrastructure and transport links. Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov argued that Crimea would soon “turn into an island.”

Military targets hit in Crimea

In an interview with the YouTube channel Pressing, Fedorov stated, “Logistics are being cut off,” and said this could lead to “very unexpected consequences” for Russia. It was reported that Ukraine’s attacks on the peninsula have caused fuel shortages in the region, leading to long queues at gas stations.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) also announced that a series of attacks had been carried out against air defense systems and military airbases in Crimea. According to the SBU, four aircraft hangars at the Saky airbase were hit, and two components of an S-400 air defense missile system along with two Pantsir-S1 systems were destroyed near Kerch.

Zelenskiy said that Russian forces had redeployed some air defense assets to protect the Crimean Bridge. The bridge is seen as a strategic land route connecting Crimea to Russian-occupied territories on the mainland.

Zelenskiy met this week with Rutte and the leaders of the E5 countries—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom—to discuss Ukraine’s air defense. Rutte and the E5 leaders sent a message that support for Kyiv would continue.

NATO Secretary General Rutte addressed Ukraine during the meeting, stating, “You can count on us now and in the future so that you can defend yourselves, be stronger at the negotiating table, deter future aggression, and continue on your irreversible path to NATO.”

News Source: 12punto