On TV, Zelensky gets cornered by US media about his 'hatred' after Trump slams his attitude on Putin

At the White House, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke candidly about efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war ahead of Trump’s upcoming peace summit with Vladimir Putin in Hungary. When asked who was the better negotiator, Trump said both leaders were “doing a great job,” but noted the “tremendous bad blood” between them was “what’s really holding up a settlement.” He stressed that success would require “taking some of the hatred out of it,” adding that he believes Putin “wants to get it done.” Trump confirmed that the Budapest talks are likely to be a direct, bilateral meeting with Putin, though Zelensky would “stay in touch.” When Zelensky faced questions about Putin’s attitude toward him, he didn’t mince words. “Putin hates me,” Zelensky said plainly. Asked if he felt the same, he replied, “They try to kill all of us… so I will have another attitude to this person.” The comment reflected the deep animosity that Zelensky insists makes bilateral trust impossible without external mediation. Still, he emphasized that Ukraine remains open to “bilateral, trilateral, any format” that could bring peace, provided Russia agrees to cease hostilities first.