Missile Shortages: Zelenskyy Explains Direct Tone With Trump

Ukraine's president said he speaks plainly to Donald Trump because his country has no time for quiet signals.

Speaking at a briefing reported by Ukrinform, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his choice of language follows the resources available. He pointed to shortages of anti-ballistic missiles, saying that with sufficient supplies it would be possible to communicate quietly and cautiously if something were switched off or if problems arose with diesel supplies. Without those supplies, he said, no time remains for restrained messages. "I speak directly and frankly," he said.

Zelenskyy said he lives from one night to the next, with attacks now taking place during the day as well as at night. He was asked about Trump's statements that Ukraine needs to hold elections. Zelenskyy said he was calm about the remarks, drawing a line between comments about him personally and statements concerning Ukraine. Trump may express views about him, Zelenskyy said, but remarks about the country require a response because defending it is his responsibility.

Journalists also asked whether European leaders had encouraged him to moderate his rhetoric toward the United States. Zelenskyy answered by pointing to the time that careful diplomacy needs to produce results. Speaking carefully about a person or an issue can eventually achieve an outcome, he said, but that approach depends on having enough time to wait.

Zelenskyy described his relationship with Trump as good and constructive, and called his meetings with the US president and his team excellent. He said constructive dialogue does not mean destructive actions should be overlooked, and that raising such concerns openly is compatible with the relationship he described.

Zelenskyy has not scheduled further public remarks on the subject. The briefing at which he addressed these questions was reported by Ukrinform.