Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Donald Trump of betrayal and warned the US leader he is on the wrong side of history. The war-torn nation's leader lashed out during a fiery interview with Piers Morgan.
He said he felt betrayed after Mr Trump struck a diesel deal with Russia and accused Elon Musk's SpaceX of cutting off vital Starlink communications. Mr Zelenskyy warned the alleged shutdown could cost lives as Ukrainian forces battle Vladimir Putin's invading troops.
Zelenskyy's warning over Starlink
He told Piers Morgan Uncensored: “This decision will bring a lot of human losses.” Mr Zelenskyy said it was “painful” that Trump “chooses one side, not our side”.
He declared: “This is not the right side of history.” Mr Zelenskyy also insisted he would not resign or surrender Ukrainian territory to Russia.
Talks in Britain
The explosive interview came as the Ukrainian leader visited Britain for talks with Andy Burnham. The British Prime Minister is expected to announce faster military support for Ukraine and further sanctions against Moscow.
Mr Zelenskyy also met King Charles at Buckingham Palace, where the pair shook hands before holding private talks lasting around 25 minutes. He later thanked the monarch for his “unwavering support” and praised Britain's help in Ukraine's fight against Russia.
Message to Elon Musk
Zelenskyy also issued a warning to Elon Musk, telling him that “people will die” after his country has revealed issues with Starlink. The Ukrainian leader was asked if he believed Starlink had been slowed down to damage him after Musk criticised him online.
The Tesla boss had earlier backed Trump's comments about Zelenskyy being replaced in a fresh call for elections, which cannot legally happen until the war is over.
Asked if he was angry with Musk, he said: “Yes, I think he is not right. It's a big mistake. I don't know him or somebody pushed him to, I don't know really. But our soldiers, when we got this information at night, they tried to make connection with Space X and not only Space X with the American partners, with generals.
“Yes, I said to them, of course, connect and ask what's going on, maybe technical problems and they said, 'No, we don't think that this is a technical problem'.”
In a message to Musk, Zelenskyy added: “No it's a big mistake, [with] a lot of losses. This decision will bring a lot of human losses… Of course, people will die.
“Of course, if attacks will continue and if Starlink will not work, it's not helpful. So my message is absolutely, I hope that it's a mistake, maybe a huge technical problem, I don't know. But we are asking to do it, to switch it on.”
