Podcast Summary: "I'll NEVER Trust Him" President Zelensky on Trump, Putin, Paralympics & Why Russia Should Apologize

Podcast: Piers Morgan Uncensored
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Piers Morgan
Main Guest: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Panelists: Anna Denilchuk, General Mark Kimmitt, Scott Horton, Jack Posobiec

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth and frank interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, four years into the war following Russia’s invasion. Piers Morgan questions President Zelenskyy about the state of the conflict, evolving negotiations, complex relations with foreign leaders (notably Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin), peace prospects, Ukrainian resilience, and his views on recent controversial decisions by the Olympic and Paralympic Committees. The conversation is followed by a robust panel discussion reflecting on the interview, Zelenskyy’s leadership, American and European roles, and wider public perception.

Key Interview Sections & Insights

1. State of the War & the Ukrainian Spirit

• Time Stamp: 02:55 - 08:32
• Zelenskyy describes Ukraine’s emotional and physical exhaustion after four years of war but emphasizes the continued unity and resilience of citizens, especially during devastating Russian attacks targeting infrastructure, like critical energy supplies.
• Quote:
  • “Yes, people are tired...but the unity of people still [is] very strong...It was like the first days of the war when everybody joined and against the aggressor.” (04:56)
• Unity is illustrated by rapid, collective repairs to Kyiv’s infrastructure under dire conditions—“240 brigades...came to renovate Kiev from all the regions.” (05:30)
• Russian tactics have shifted from frontal assaults to attempts to cause societal chaos, particularly via energy blackouts.

2. Peace Negotiations and Stalemate

• Time Stamp: 08:32 - 15:35
• Zelenskyy confirms trilateral talks (Ukraine, Russia, US) have been “acrimonious” but are set to continue in Switzerland.
• On military dialogue: Some progress exists toward monitoring a possible ceasefire, with a significant role for Americans and hopeful inclusion of Europeans.
• On political dialogue: Fundamental disagreements remain, particularly regarding territorial integrity.
  • “We have different three views on the land question.” (11:00)
• Ukraine has already compromised by considering a ceasefire before the liberation of all territories, but Zelenskyy reiterates, “we can't just withdraw. It's our territory.” (15:35)

3. Territorial Red Lines and Security Guarantees

• Time Stamp: 15:20 - 21:06
• Zelenskyy flatly rejects any deal that cedes Ukrainian land.
  • “Just give by ourselves? I can't really support such idea...We need strong security guarantees that the rest of the world...will be ready to answer Putin if he will come back.” (15:35–16:50)
• Calls for EU membership and strong US security commitments as essential to Ukraine’s future.
• Critiques the “temporary occupied” phrase, insisting it’s not truly occupied in a legal or moral sense.

4. Russia’s Demands: NATO & Security

• Time Stamp: 21:06 - 25:55
• Russia demands no NATO in Ukraine and no NATO boots on ground—Zelenskyy dismisses this as an excuse for Russian ambitions; he points out the presence of NATO or American troops would, in fact, prevent either side from launching offensive operations.
• Ukraine’s NATO aspiration remains, but Zelenskyy notes, “It's a pity, but it doesn't depend on us.” (24:45)

5. Trust, Diplomacy, & Putin

• Time Stamp: 25:55 - 33:46
• Piers Morgan plays a Bill Clinton clip describing trusting an earlier era Putin.
• Zelenskyy responds: “Of course not...I can’t trust the person who killed so many people in Ukraine and who began full scale invasion against my nation.” (28:00)
• He argues for “institutional trust” via guarantees, not personal trust: “It’s not about trust...only on the level of leaders we can try to end this war.” (30:00)
• On Russian apology: Ukraine and Russia may need decades, or even centuries, for true reconciliation, paralleling Germany's post-Nazi reckoning.

6. Personal Interaction with Putin

• Time Stamp: 33:27 - 37:35
• On facing Putin face-to-face: “No emotions. Just...try to finish this war...I don't need all this historical shit, really.” (33:46, 36:00)
• “I don't want to lose time on all these things. It's about them. They decided to have such system… There is a big war against us. There is our lives. The only thing what I want to speak with him [about]:...how to end this war.” (36:15)

7. Assassination Attempts and Leadership

• Time Stamp: 37:35 - 41:09
• Zelenskyy reflects on his survival amid assassination attempts by Russia, downplaying his personal importance and reiterating the Ukrainian presidency is an institution, not a single person.
• “To delay me, first of all, you always can find somebody in your country who will be maybe more diplomatic...even the President...It will not break [Ukraine]. In fact, it might increase hate for Russia.” (39:45)

8. The Oval Office Clash with Trump

• Time Stamp: 41:56 - 46:19
• Zelenskyy confirms private fiery exchanges with US leaders are routine, but the public shouting match felt “not just to us” (Ukraine) and was unfair—he expected stronger support.
• “I didn't want to hear...support of Russians, you know, and that's why my reaction was my reaction.” (45:19)

9. Trust in Trump & Peace Prospects

• Time Stamp: 46:19 - 49:49
• Zelenskyy believes Trump sincerely wants the war to end and cares about Ukrainian suffering, but is pained by Trump’s apparent warmth towards Putin.
  • “Sometimes his attitude to Putin is more good than Putin deserves.” (49:49)
• He does not “really know” all the factors in US-Russian relations: “Something which is not vidom or famous to me.”

10. Elections Amid War

• Time Stamp: 50:20 - 54:24
• On US pushing for early Ukrainian elections: Zelenskyy challenges whether Western pressure is really for democracy or just to replace him.
• He would support a two-month ceasefire to allow elections, but only if it would truly serve peace—otherwise “we can have elections only during peace time.” (53:21)

11. US Public Opinion and Corruption

• Time Stamp: 54:24 - 59:32
• Responds to criticism from US conservatives: Ukraine is young, fighting, and openly addressing corruption.
• Polls show Zelenskyy is globally the most favorably viewed leader among Americans.
  • “Americans feel it. They feel where is truth and where is not, where is disinformation...And I think the answer of such support is in this, that Americans truly understand and truly on our side.” (59:11)

12. Olympics, Paralympics, and Double Standards

• Time Stamp: 59:32 - 67:07
• Outrage over the Olympic expulsion of a Ukrainian athlete for commemorating war victims on his helmet, while Russian athletes are allowed to compete under their flags.
• “It’s dirty decisions. Absolutely not respectable and not European...It's awful decision.” (65:39)
• Criticizes the “double standard” of the IOC and international sports bodies.

13. Personal Toll on Zelenskyy and His Family

• Time Stamp: 67:07 - 70:03
• Zelenskyy reflects with emotion on missing years of his children’s lives, the strain on his family, and the reality for all Ukrainian parents in wartime.
  • “I lost [my daughter’s childhood]...But the only one constant thing, what we have, we love each other. And this is great.” (69:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Russian peace negotiations:
  • “We can't just withdraw. It's...1,2,3,4,5,10 reasons why we can't. And it's not fair.” (20:36)
• On Putin:
  • “Of course not. I can’t trust the person who killed so many people in Ukraine.” (28:00)
  • “I don't need all this historical shit, really.” (34:00, 36:00)
• On trust in Trump:
  • “I trust him...he wants to end this war...Sometimes his attitude to Putin is more good than Putin deserves.” (49:49)
• On the Olympic double standard:
  • “It's dirty decisions. Absolutely not respectable and not European...It's awful decision.” (65:39)
• On Ukrainian resiliency:
  • “The unity of people still very strong...like the first days of the war.” (05:01)
• On family sacrifice:
  • “I lost this period from [my daughter’s] childhood...but if we miss each other, the only one constant thing, what we have, we love each other. And this is great.” (69:30)

Panel Discussion: Analysis and Reactions

1. Territorial Stalemate and the Role of Security Guarantees

• General Kimmitt:
  • Both sides’ maximalist war aims are “getting worn down”, and a cold peace or frozen conflict may be inevitable.
  • “If President Trump wears him down and says we’ll offer you those long term security guarantees for land, I think [Zelenskyy] has got a choice to make.” (75:22)

2. Cost and Responsibility of War

• Scott Horton:
  • Criticizes US policy: “The Ukrainians...have a right to be resentful. Joe Biden promised them total victory...and based on those promises, they gave up on the peace talks in the early part of the war.” (79:49)
  • Objects to framing war as a cheap way for the West to hurt Russia, calling it “satanic policy.” (98:42)

3. Public Trust in Zelenskyy

• Anna Denilchuk:
  • Asserts Ukrainians continue to trust Zelenskyy because of his openness and the society’s resilience:
  • “Not the first time that Ukrainian civil society surprises the world...We influence [government] decisions.” (84:19)
  • Russia’s attempts to divide Ukraine have only united the country further.

4. US Isolationism vs. Globalism

• General Kimmitt & Scott Horton:
  • Debate the term “isolationist” and whether the US role is defensive or exploitative (“killing Russians on the cheap”).
  • Kimmitt: “If the Ukrainians want to fight to defend their country, why shouldn’t America support it?” (96:12)
  • Horton: “A lot of those Ukrainian soldiers are kidnapped off the street by press gangs...” (100:39)
  • Anna rebuts: now Ukraine’s army is “the strongest and most skilled army of the 21st century.” (101:13)

5. Paralympic Controversy and International Perceptions

• Panel reacts to the decision allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes, agreeing with Zelenskyy's assertion of double standards.

Important Timestamps

• 03:34–08:32 — Zelenskyy on war fatigue and unity
• 09:10–15:35 — Trilogy talks and negotiation stances
• 15:35–21:39 — Red lines and security guarantees
• 25:55–31:54 — On Putin, trust, and apology
• 33:46–37:35 — What would Zelenskyy say to Putin?
• 41:56–46:19 — Oval Office clash and US-Ukraine dynamic
• 49:49–51:08 — Zelenskyy on Trump’s attitude toward Putin
• 59:32–67:07 — Olympics, “double standards,” sport as politics
• 67:07–70:03 — Family & human cost

Conclusion: Episode Tone and Takeaway

This is perhaps Zelenskyy’s most candid interview, revealing exhaustion and exasperation with both the war and international politics. He is unwavering in his refusal to trade land for peace, insists on dignity, and demands real, enforceable security guarantees. There is sorrow for national losses and personal sacrifices, but no regret in resistance. The panel underscores the growing strain on all involved, the international community’s divided stance, and an uncertain but grinding road forward.

For Listeners

This episode is essential listening to understand the current emotional, political, and moral ground of Ukraine’s leadership; it also provides an unfiltered view of the complexities—and frustrations—at the heart of ongoing peace efforts and Western policy.