Zelenskyy Warns Ukraine May Lose War Without U.S. Support, Says Trump Stronger Than Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed grave concerns that Ukraine could face defeat in its ongoing war with Russia if the United States withdraws funding and military support. Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Zelenskyy underscored the importance of international unity, particularly between Ukraine and the U.S., as reported by the BBC.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the potential impact of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, noting that Trump’s strength could influence Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. “It will not be simple, but yes, he can, because he is stronger than Putin,” Zelenskyy said. “The President of the United States has strength, authority, and weapons, and he can reduce the price of energy resources.”

Trump has pledged to reduce U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, prioritizing domestic investments instead. He has claimed he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, though he has not detailed how this would be achieved.

Zelenskyy admitted that a reduction or cut in U.S. support would be devastating for Ukraine. “If they cut [funding], I think we will lose,” he said. “Of course, we will still fight and rely on our own production, but it is not enough to prevail or even to survive.”

This warning comes as Ukraine deploys U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russian territory for the first time, following Washington’s approval. Additionally, U.S. President Joe Biden recently agreed to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, further bolstering Kyiv’s defense capabilities.

However, Zelenskyy described the current battlefield situation as “very difficult,” citing increased territorial advances by Russian forces. According to data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia has captured approximately 2,700 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in 2024—six times more than in 2023.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Russia’s Kursk region appears to be losing momentum, with Kyiv’s forces reportedly being pushed back.

Zelenskyy also criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for engaging with Putin in a phone call last week, calling such interactions a “Pandora’s box.” He argued that isolating Putin is critical for maintaining international pressure on Moscow.