Trump Says Zelensky Has Done ‘Pretty Well’ In Ukraine’s Fight Against Russia

Trump Praises Zelensky’s Wartime Leadership, Says Ukraine Is ‘Holding Its Own’ Against Russia

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered rare praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying he has performed well in Ukraine’s prolonged war against Russia and describing him as a courageous leader.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Ukraine had managed to withstand Russia’s military pressure despite the heavy human cost of the conflict, which has now stretched into its fifth year.

“He’s doing pretty well. He’s holding his own, at least,” Trump said when asked about Zelensky’s leadership. “A lot of people are dying on both sides, but I think he’s doing pretty well.”

The US president also praised the Ukrainian military, highlighting both the equipment supplied to Kyiv and the determination of its armed forces.

“You have to say he’s courageous. He’s got great equipment, but he’s got great men, he’s got fighters,” Trump said.

Shift In Tone Towards Zelensky

Trump’s remarks mark a notable contrast to some of his earlier comments about the Ukrainian leader, when he had questioned Kyiv’s position in the conflict and suggested Zelensky lacked the leverage needed to secure a favourable outcome.

The latest comments come amid continued fighting across eastern and southern Ukraine, where Kyiv’s forces have managed to resist Russian advances in several sectors despite ongoing missile and drone attacks on major cities.

Military analysts note that while Ukraine has demonstrated resilience on the battlefield, Russian strikes continue to inflict significant damage on civilian infrastructure and urban centres.

Meeting At G7 Summit

Trump and Zelensky recently met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, where world leaders discussed ways to increase pressure on Moscow and push for an end to the war.

Following the meeting, Zelensky publicly thanked Trump for engaging with Ukraine’s concerns and supporting efforts aimed at achieving peace.

The Ukrainian president said he was grateful for Trump’s attention to the conflict and his willingness to help advance diplomatic efforts.

Focus On Russian Oil Sanctions

After the talks, Trump also signalled renewed interest in tightening pressure on Russia through energy-related measures.

The US president indicated that additional sanctions targeting Russian oil exports were under consideration, a move that has long been advocated by several Western allies seeking to reduce Moscow’s revenues.

The comments came after Washington previously extended a waiver covering certain Russian oil cargoes already in transit, a decision that had drawn concern from some European partners.

As the conflict continues with no immediate resolution in sight, Trump’s remarks suggest a more supportive tone toward Ukraine while maintaining pressure on Russia through potential economic measures.