(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he does not fear US President Donald Trump, describing their relationship as cooperative and focused on practical issues, according to reports.

In remarks given after renewed Russian bombardments left large parts of Ukraine without electricity, Zelenskyy rejected speculation that his October meeting with Trump in Washington had been confrontational. “He didn’t throw anything. I am sure,” he said, adding that their exchange was “normal, businesslike, and constructive,” and centered on Ukraine’s defense needs and strategies to curb Russia’s capabilities.

“Everyone in the world is afraid of Trump. That’s the truth,” Zelenskyy said. When asked if he shared that sentiment, he responded: “No … we are not enemies with America. We are friends. So why should we be afraid?”

He expressed confidence in the US-Ukrainian alliance, calling the United States “our strategic partner for many years, perhaps even decades and centuries,” and emphasized his respect for the democratic will of the American people.

Zelenskyy also credited Britain’s King Charles with quietly helping to improve relations between Kyiv and Washington, noting that Trump “respected” the monarch and regarded him as “very important.” “His Majesty is very supportive of our people,” Zelenskyy said.

Turning to Ukraine’s defense priorities, Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv intends to acquire 27 Patriot air defense systems from American manufacturers and urged European partners to temporarily provide their own. “It’s never enough. It’s enough when the war ends,” he remarked, referring to Western military support.

The interview was held at Kyiv’s Mariinskyi Palace, where the lights briefly went out amid ongoing Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy grid. “These are our living conditions,” Zelenskyy said with a grin. “It’s normal. We have fluctuations with electricity in Kyiv, like everywhere else.”

He accused Moscow of carrying out a “hybrid war against Europe” and warned that Russia could open a new front in another European country while the conflict in Ukraine continues.

Zelenskyy reiterated that Russia’s current offensive in Donetsk, including its push toward Pokrovsk, had achieved no significant gains. “Putin is in a dead-end situation in terms of real success,” he said.

Ukraine has endured widespread power outages after waves of Russian drone and missile strikes hit its energy infrastructure, including two nuclear facilities in the west. The state energy company reported that electricity production had dropped to “zero” following the latest attacks.

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