Vitaly Shevchenko

I don't normally use words such as extraordinary in my interviews, but frankly, I cannot recall a time when America's rhetoric on Ukraine was so extraordinarily similar to Russia's rhetoric. and also so different from Europe's and NATO's, let alone Ukraine's. And what this suggests, well, we've got to ask the question whether the United States is still Ukraine's ally.

Is it still part of the Western alliance that's been helping Ukraine fight Russian aggression? And frankly, the Western alliance that's emerged since the Second World War.

Is it still part of the Western alliance that's been helping Ukraine fight Russian aggression? And frankly, the Western alliance that's emerged since the Second World War.

It is. And the claims that Donald Trump's been making, to be honest, I've been hearing them from Russian state TV because, you know, that's my job. That's what I do. I watch Russian state TV. And I've been hearing about how Ukraine should not join NATO. I've been hearing that for years.

It is. And the claims that Donald Trump's been making, to be honest, I've been hearing them from Russian state TV because, you know, that's my job. That's what I do. I watch Russian state TV. And I've been hearing about how Ukraine should not join NATO. I've been hearing that for years.

They've been saying for years that Ukraine should forget about the territories captured or liberated, as Russian state TV calls it. Now, President Trump says that Vladimir Zelensky is a dictator, unpopular, 4% approval rating, and that it's Ukraine that started this war. Again, I would expect to hear this from a commentator on Russian State TV. And okay, there are opinions and there are facts.

They've been saying for years that Ukraine should forget about the territories captured or liberated, as Russian state TV calls it. Now, President Trump says that Vladimir Zelensky is a dictator, unpopular, 4% approval rating, and that it's Ukraine that started this war. Again, I would expect to hear this from a commentator on Russian State TV. And okay, there are opinions and there are facts.

And Donald Trump, in his post on Truth Social, he said that Zelensky is a modestly successful comedian. Well, that's a matter of opinion. But in terms of facts, credible opinion polls, they suggest that Volodymyr Zelensky's approval ratings are more than 50%, even higher than Donald Trump's. in America.

And Donald Trump, in his post on Truth Social, he said that Zelensky is a modestly successful comedian. Well, that's a matter of opinion. But in terms of facts, credible opinion polls, they suggest that Volodymyr Zelensky's approval ratings are more than 50%, even higher than Donald Trump's. in America.

And when it comes to elections, which is, again, something that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have been demanding, that Ukraine holds elections, this is what Ukrainian law specifically forbids. And none of the credible potential rivals of Vladimir Zelensky in Ukraine are pushing for the idea. They're saying, look, this is not a good idea to hold elections now.

And when it comes to elections, which is, again, something that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have been demanding, that Ukraine holds elections, this is what Ukrainian law specifically forbids. And none of the credible potential rivals of Vladimir Zelensky in Ukraine are pushing for the idea. They're saying, look, this is not a good idea to hold elections now.

And in fact, they are no less hawkish on Russia than Vladimir Zelensky.

And in fact, they are no less hawkish on Russia than Vladimir Zelensky.

By saying that he is prepared to sit down and talk with Donald Trump, that Russia is all for negotiations, that has been the Kremlin's line for years. We are being reasonable here. You, i.e. the West, do not want to listen to our concerns. We're ready to sit down and talk, but you won't listen. Now, does he mean it? Vladimir Putin, he was very positive about Donald Trump.

By saying that he is prepared to sit down and talk with Donald Trump, that Russia is all for negotiations, that has been the Kremlin's line for years. We are being reasonable here. You, i.e. the West, do not want to listen to our concerns. We're ready to sit down and talk, but you won't listen. Now, does he mean it? Vladimir Putin, he was very positive about Donald Trump.

He said he is a very smart person, pragmatic. Does he mean it? Well, possibly. But we shouldn't forget that Vladimir Putin is a former Secret Service agent. And Secret Service agents, they're not necessarily known for telling the truth or speaking their minds. Vladimir Putin said that the election was stolen from Donald Trump back in 2020. That is going to be music to Donald Trump's ears.

He said he is a very smart person, pragmatic. Does he mean it? Well, possibly. But we shouldn't forget that Vladimir Putin is a former Secret Service agent. And Secret Service agents, they're not necessarily known for telling the truth or speaking their minds. Vladimir Putin said that the election was stolen from Donald Trump back in 2020. That is going to be music to Donald Trump's ears.

Ego is pretty big, even by most politicians' standards.

Ego is pretty big, even by most politicians' standards.

Well, possibly. The question is, though, what sort of pressure can America put on Russia that's not been exerted already? Donald Trump did suggest that oil output needs to be increased globally so that oil and energy prices go down dramatically. That will hurt a bit. I don't think it will completely undermine the Russian economy.