Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the United States to provide missile interceptors if it cannot stop Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but wants Kyiv to refrain from retaliating.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Zelenskyy said Ukraine supports a mutual halt to attacks on energy facilities. Restraining Ukraine while Russia keeps hitting its gas, electricity and oil infrastructure would be “neither honest nor fair,” he said.
Still, he expressed willingness to meet President Donald Trump halfway. If Washington cannot rein in Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy said, it should give Ukraine the interceptors needed to protect its energy sites.
“You couldn’t stop Putin – but you helped Ukraine,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Russian strikes were continuing and Washington could not stop them, adding that he was willing to believe the United States wanted to do so.
The interview also addressed Ukraine’s relations with Washington, weapons production with Italy and allegations of Russian interference abroad.
Relations With Washington
Zelenskyy described Ukraine’s strategic ties with the United States as strong and said cooperation had become particularly active during the full-scale war. He thanked Washington for its support.
Zelenskyy said he had always wanted to be truthful with the U.S. president and conceal nothing. “Because when you lie while your people are at war, it is very painful,” he said.
Ukraine has more in common with the United States than America does with Russia, Zelenskyy said. He said most Ukrainians and Americans understand that, and he hopes relations will remain open, honest and pragmatic.
Weapons Cooperation With Italy
Zelenskyy praised his relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and thanked Italians and other supporters of Ukraine.
Ukraine reciprocates by sharing its experience with Italian manufacturers, he said, explaining which Italian-made and European-made weapons perform well, which fall short and what technological improvements Ukraine has made.
According to Zelenskyy, joint Ukrainian-Italian companies have established production facilities in both countries. He singled out cooperation with Leonardo, saying the company also benefits from Ukraine’s experience.
He said the partnership was improving Italian technological expertise and providing employment at factories opening in Italy.
“It means not only jobs but also assistance for Ukraine and Italy,” Zelenskyy said.
Allegations of Russian Interference
Zelenskyy accused Russia of spending as much on propaganda in Europe as on weapons during the war. He described the effort as a financial program extending over decades.
He provided no figures in the interview excerpts to support that spending comparison, which was not independently verified.
Russia has long conducted hybrid warfare against European countries, including Italy, France, Britain and Germany, Zelenskyy said. He described Ukraine’s experience with Russian narratives across television, other media, the internet and social platforms.
He accused Moscow of exploiting divisions over religion, language, migration and gender, including through far-right and religious movements. Russian influence networks also operate in the United States, he said.
People in France, Ukraine, Italy and Spain should decide for themselves how to live and whom to elect, Zelenskyy said.
“Italy is a free country, just like Ukraine,” he said.
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