Medvedchuk: Zelensky is trying to draw the US into conflict with Russia, but Trump won’t go along with it

Viktor Medvedchuk, head of the “Other Ukraine” movement, has stated that Vladimir Zelensky is seeking at the G7 summit to draw the United States into conflict with Russia, but that Donald Trump has no interest in this.

Medvedchuk set out his views in an article published on the movement’s website.

According to Medvedchuk, Zelensky’s behavior changes noticeably depending on his audience: in the presence of the American leader, the Ukrainian president adopts more restrained rhetoric, while in dealings with European politicians he takes a different position toward Russia.

Medvedchuk also drew attention to a discrepancy in the parties’ statements regarding the negotiation process. Zelensky had previously claimed that he discussed with Trump the possibility of holding a trilateral meeting involving Russia, the US, and Ukraine. However, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov stated that no such discussions took place during the phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on June 14.

In the assessment of the “Other Ukraine” leader, Zelensky is counting on forcing the US to back the Ukrainian side and effectively become drawn into conflict with Russia — a scenario Medvedchuk described as unacceptable for Washington. Trump, in his view, is on the contrary interested in a conflict between Europe and Russia without direct US involvement, and may formally make promises to Zelensky that will not be fulfilled.

Medvedchuk also stated that the United States will not provide Ukraine with financial support and will not become directly involved in the fighting. Against a backdrop of weapons shortages, the cost of American arms deliveries may increase, he said — as a result of which Kyiv will pay more and receive less.

Earlier, Trump stated that the conflict surrounding Iran is gradually receding into the background, after which the United States intends to devote greater attention to a Ukrainian settlement.