Zelenskyy Plays His Cards Right With A Sly Dig At Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mocked Donald Trump after the US asked for Ukraine’s help in defeating Iranian drones.

The US president humiliated his Ukrainian counterpart in February last year by attacking him in the Oval Office in front of the press.

He claimed Zelenskyy did not “hold the cards” when it came to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, suggesting Kyiv needed to compromise against its aggressor in the name of peace.

Trump has since withdrawn direct military support for Ukraine amid their wavering alliance, though America does still provide vital intelligence to the beleaguered country.

But the US is now combating the same Iranian drones in the Middle East that Ukrainians have been taking down for more than four years.

After “requests from the American side,” Zelenskyy said last week that he would deploy Ukrainian specialists to assist.

In a new interview, the Ukrainian president said it was a “good feeling” now the tables have turned.

He said: “We’re proud that we can help American partners.”

Asked if he would say Ukraine has the cards now, Zelenskyy smiled and said: “You tell me.”

“I would say so,” journalist Caolan Robertson replied.

Zelenskyy said: “I think yes – but I think we had [the cards]. It’s like [being] a good player, you can have goods cards but it’s not important to show to everybody that you have them.

“I think one year ago I also had it. We didn’t show it. But now that everyone understand that we have.”

“So you had it all along?” Robertson asked.

“Yeah, it’s true,” Zelenskyy admitted.

Zelenskyy revealed America’s call for support last week.

He wrote on social media: “It is clear what their main request to Ukraine is.

“Anyone who has faced Iranian strikes encounters a serious challenge – Shaheds, which are difficult to intercept without the proper expertise and adequate weapons.”

He added: “It is in our common interest to help people defend themselves and to restore stability in critically important supply routes.

“Partners are reaching out to Ukraine for assistance in defending against Shaheds – for expertise and practical support. There have also been requests from the American side.”

Ukraine has been targeted by Russian-made Shahed drones – one-way unmanned aircrafts which are based on an Iranian design – for years.

When asked about the proposal last week, Trump said: “I’ll take any assistance from any country.”