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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says it is ‘painful’ when Trump chooses a different side

By Thomson Reuters Oct 14, 2026 | 11:36 AM

LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview on Wednesday that ​it was “painful” when Donald Trump ‌took another side in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia, after the US President said Zelenskiy should be replaced.

Zelenskiy told ‌Piers ​Morgan Uncensored: “It’s painful ⁠when President Trump chooses ⁠one side, not our side.”

He also said that he was OK with Trump being in the ​middle of Ukraine and Russia, but added: “If you are in ⁠the middle, you ⁠have to stay in the ​middle.”

Asked if he felt betrayed by ​Trump, who at the weekend called ‌for Ukraine to get a new president having agreed to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports, ⁠Zelenskiy replied: “Really, yes … but it’s a little bit more complicated than just my ⁠emotions or ‌my feelings.”

“It’s a pity ⁠we are losing (a) strong ​partner,” ‌he added.

Zelenskiy also said: “We are ​not ⁠selling our country … it’s not about business for us, it’s just our life and this is our country.”

(Reporting by Sam Tobin, editing by ​William James)