Zelenskyy's warning to Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told NBC News that the U.S. formally siding with Russia's Vladimir Putin would be a historic mistake, but said he still sees President Donald Trump as an ally.

“If these two countries will be together ... we will not prevail, and we will not be able to stand.”

Zelenskyy hopes Trump will change course

Zelenskyy said he wants to trust Trump and hopes he will reverse recent decisions. We want to trust him. I hope that he will change his decisions, because I think that it's all mistakes.

“We want to trust him. I hope that he will change his decisions, because I think that it's all mistakes, and it will not help us, and it will not help United States.”

Trump waives Russia sanctions

On Friday, Trump waived sweeping new sanctions against Russia passed by Congress with bipartisan support last month, saying the move is in the national interests of the United States.

Sanctions targeted Russian energy

The sanctions were intended to target Russia's revenue streams by punishing global buyers of Russian oil and gas, but Trump said he did not want to drive Russia away from the bargaining table.

Trump's diesel deal with Putin

The sanctions waiver came days after a deal with Putin to release hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel fuel onto the global market as fuel prices soar was announced.

Zelenskyy disputes Trump's rationale

Zelenskyy said the diesel deal would not have a real influence on U.S. oil prices because rising prices were due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, not Ukraine.

Intelligence sharing briefly blocked

At the same time, Zelenskyy said U.S. intelligence sharing was briefly blocked, blinding Ukraine to incoming ballistic missiles, while limits have been placed on Starlink technology critical to intercept jet-powered drones.

Starlink restrictions imposed

Zelenskyy told moderator Kristen Welker that Ukrainian officials believe the decision to limit Starlink, imposed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, came in response to a message from the American government.

Strained Trump-Zelenskyy relations

Personal relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have appeared severely strained in recent weeks, with each publicly criticizing the other. Trump said Zelenskyy was more difficult to deal with than Putin.

Zelenskyy defends his honesty

Asked about Trump's remark, Zelenskyy said he was very honest with Trump. He said it is better to have partners who are very open and clear than those who are killers, even with a smile.

“Maybe it's not very polite, but it is better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers, even with a smile on their face.”

Lankford defends Trump's approach

Senator James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, defended Trump's decision to lift Russia sanctions, saying Trump is walking a fine balance between pressuring Russia and helping American people with high gas prices.

War stalled, winter looms

The war has seen little recent movement on the front line, with Russia continuing to occupy around a fifth of Ukraine. Another difficult winter looms for Ukrainian civilians with a critical munitions shortage.

Intelligence sharing restored

Zelenskyy said U.S. intelligence sharing about incoming Russian ballistic missiles has been deblocked after a multiday interruption. He said Ukraine is very thankful and now it works.

“We are very thankful for this. Now it works.”

Zelenskyy remains open to talks

Zelenskyy said he was due to speak to U.S. negotiators by phone Sunday and was still hopeful of a meeting in the days ahead, saying he is very open for this despite difficult circumstances.

“I'm very open for this, even with all the difficult circumstances.”