Zelensky Warns of Russia’s ‘Economic Marriage’ With US as Ukraine Feels ‘Home Alone’ Without Patriots

Russia could offer the US an “economic marriage” built on energy and other economic deals, but it would likely come at a cost in the long run, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.“I believe the ‘diesel deal’ opens the door for the Russians to take further similar steps,” Zelensky told journalists, as quoted by Ukrainian media.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.He suggested that future agreements could involve fertilizers, gas, frozen assets, and the lifting of sanctions on specific individuals and entities.He revealed that sanctions had already been lifted on Russian oligarchs close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.“Russia understands that – unlike other nations – it possesses such natural resources, capabilities, reserves, and a centralized, vertical control over all of this, that it could genuinely propose a sort of ‘economic marriage’ to America – as unpleasant as that may sound,” Zelensky said.However, he said that such an arrangement might not benefit Washington in the long run, even if it appeared advantageous initially.“Every deal involving Russia contains some unpleasant element that isn’t immediately apparent – even if, in the short term, it might seem like there are benefits to be gained,” he said.Russia’s security demands and NATOZelensky warned that NATO should not agree to Russia’s demands for security guarantees while Moscow continues its war against Ukraine.“If you want security guarantees for Ukraine, then we want them for Russia,” the Russian side has argued, according to Zelensky. Other Topics of Interest Putin and Pezeshkian Honor Khamenei, Killed in US-Israeli Strikes, and Challenge US Influence Tehran thanks Moscow for political and security support, building on a partnership that has supplied Russia with weapons used against Ukraine. He said Moscow’s demands go far beyond assurances that Ukraine would not attack Russian territory, instead seeking a broader agreement with NATO or the US.Zelensky added that Russia had raised similar demands before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow could again seek NATO’s withdrawal from certain territories or the removal of Alliance infrastructure, he said.Such decisions, he stressed, rest with NATO member states – not Russia or Ukraine. Zelensky also warned that any rollback in security would signal weakness for the Alliance.“One cannot discuss any global security guarantees for Russia while it remains unclear how – and on what basis – their war against Ukraine will end, and before we know what security guarantees Ukraine itself will have,” he said.Zelensky added that the issue of the war must be resolved before Russia’s demands regarding the European and global security architecture can be addressed.He also acknowledged that Washington had sent signals about a possible reduction in the number of US troops stationed in Europe.Middle East war affects Ukraine’s air defenseZelensky said the war in the Middle East had negatively affected military and financial support for Ukraine, including supplies of air defense missiles. He pointed to the situation around the Strait of Hormuz as one factor contributing to global energy pressures.According to Zelensky, Ukraine received just 12 US missiles per month for its Patriot air defense systems throughout 2026.He said the amount was far below Ukraine’s needs, as Russia launches approximately 150 ballistic missiles against the country each month.Even if Ukraine received 150 US interceptor missiles a year, Zelensky said, it would still face a significant gap between available supplies and the demands of defending against Russian attacks.Ukraine is working with partners to secure additional anti-ballistic missiles, but transfers of US-made interceptors require approval from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, he added.Zelensky said several issues had converged in Ukraine’s relations with Washington, including Starlink and Starshield, intelligence sharing, interceptor missile supplies, and agreements concerning Russian diesel.“We understand where things are heading. It’s like the next installment of Home Alone. It is a challenge – a tough challenge,” he said.The president also said Ukraine had provided assistance to Middle Eastern partners at their request, including support related to bases hosting American personnel in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He added that ending the regional crisis was important for Ukraine, too.Ukraine and US resume intelligence sharingSeparately, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine and the US had resumed intelligence sharing, thanking US President Donald Trump, military officials, and others who helped make the decision possible.“We are grateful to our American partners – to everyone who made this happen: President Donald Trump, the military, and everyone else who helped,” Zelensky said. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.