Trump says Zelenskyy is ‘doing a pretty good job’ as Ukraine presses Russia

During a White House news conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump said Zelenskyy was “doing pretty well.”

“Well, he’s doing pretty well. Look, any way you look at it, he’s doing pretty well. At least he’s hanging in. A lot of people are dying on both sides, but I think he’s doing a pretty good job,” Trump said.

Trump also said Ukraine’s Defense Forces have “great people.”

“Look, you have to give him credit. He’s brave. He has great equipment, but he also has great people. He has fighters,” Trump said when asked by a reporter whether he believed Zelenskyy was “winning right now.”

On June 24, Deputy Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin said Ukraine is now at a stage where it is winning the war against Russia.

The Financial Times, citing sources, reported that Trump was “deeply impressed and admiring” of Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign against Russia during the G7 summit.

On June 23, The Kyiv Independent, citing a senior Ukrainian official, reported that Trump had privately advised Zelenskyy to act “bolder” toward Russia.

At the same time, CNBC reported on June 24 that European analysts believe successful attacks deep inside Russian territory and increased pressure on occupied Crimea could both shift the war in Kyiv’s favor and trigger a new escalation by Moscow.