Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected claims that he fears Donald Trump. He said he has a “normal” and “businesslike” relationship with the US president.

In an interview with The Guardian, Zelenskyy said he was not afraid of Trump “like everyone else in the world.” He added, “We are not enemies with America. We are friends. So why should we be afraid?”

He said Ukraine and the United States remain “friends, not enemies,” despite political tensions.

Zelenskyy calls meeting with Trump calm and professional

Zelenskyy dismissed reports that his October meeting with Trump in Washington was tense. Media outlets had said Trump threw maps aside during talks about Tomahawk missiles.

“He didn’t throw anything. I am sure,” Zelenskyy said. He described their meeting as “constructive” and “businesslike.” He said they sometimes disagreed but spoke respectfully.

Zelenskyy also praised King Charles III for helping keep talks with Trump open. He called the British monarch “very supportive” and said the King helped improve understanding during the war.

Trump’s warning raises new concerns

Zelenskyy’s comments followed a Financial Times report that Trump urged him to accept Russia’s terms to end the war. Trump allegedly warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would “destroy” Ukraine otherwise.

The warning sparked concerns about how Trump’s return to the White House might affect US support for Kyiv. Trump has often claimed he could end the war “within 24 hours.”

Zelenskyy said Ukraine still relies on US cooperation, no matter who leads Washington.

Russia hits Ukraine’s energy grid again

While Zelenskyy spoke, Russia launched new missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. The attacks hit power stations and caused massive blackouts.

Officials said around 100,000 people in Kharkiv lost electricity, water, and heating. Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said crews were fixing the damage but warned full recovery would take time.

Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk called the assault “one of the most difficult nights” for Ukraine’s energy sector. The strikes killed at least four people. In Poltava, most power returned by Sunday, but some areas remained dark.

Russia’s war on Ukraine’s power network

Since the full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s power and heating systems.

Ukraine’s energy operator, Ukrenergo, imposed rolling blackouts to stabilise the grid. Officials warned the outages could continue through winter if attacks persist.

The strikes followed a familiar pattern — heavy nighttime bombardments of energy plants, substations, and heating facilities. Millions of Ukrainians remain at risk of power loss as winter nears.