# Zelenskyy warns U.S. backing Russia risks Ukraine's survival

> Zelenskyy says U.S. supporting Russia means Ukraine can't win war.
- Title: Zelenskyy warns U.S. backing Russia risks Ukraine's survival
- Summary: Zelenskyy says U.S. supporting Russia means Ukraine can't win war. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns that U.S. official backing Russia would prevent…
- Keywords: zelenskyy, u.s., russia, ukraine, intelligence sharing, starshield, congressional investigation, marco rubio, scott bessent, meet the press, news, politics
- Source: Salon — https://salon.com/2026/10/18/zelenskyy-warns-we-will-not-prevail-if-u-s-backs-russia
- Author: CK Smith
- Published: 2026-10-18T20:00:38+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: zelenskyy, u.s., russia, ukraine, intelligence sharing, starshield, congressional investigation, marco rubio, scott bessent, meet the press, news, politics
## Zelenskyy confirms intelligence cutoff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed U.S. temporarily interrupted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.

> We are very thankful for this. Now it works.
## Zelenskyy warns U.S. backing Russia undermines Ukraine
Zelenskyy said if the U.S. officially takes Russia's side, Ukraine will not prevail in the war.

> If the United States will officially take the side of Russia … we will not prevail and we will not be able to stand
## Bessent avoids calling Ukraine an ally
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to directly answer whether the U.S. considers Ukraine an ally.

> I'm not the secretary of state. I'm not the president
## Congressman demands investigation into communications
Rep. Mike Turner called for a congressional investigation into disruptions affecting Ukrainian battlefield communications.

> Absolutely not. There needs to be a congressional investigation
## Key takeaway

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns that U.S. official backing Russia would prevent Ukraine from prevailing in the war.