Volodymyr Zelensky said that despite his difficult relationship with Donald Trump, he believes that the White House is even more irritated by Vladimir Putin than by him, quoting his words from "Politico".
"I may say unpleasant things, but I tell the truth. And I say what I think. And he [Putin] may sometimes say very nice things, but these things are lies. And I think that for intelligent people, those who lie are more dangerous," the Ukrainian president told a group of journalists in Kiev on Tuesday.
"In a partnership, you may feel very uncomfortable, but be partners. "I think the problem with Putin is that if you think you're in a dialogue, you're really on your own," Zelensky added.
Zelensky said he believes President Trump and his administration - seeking a quick end to hostilities - have already figured out that Putin doesn't want to end his full-scale invasion of Ukraine the way the White House wants.
While continuing to lash out at Zelensky, Trump warned Putin on Tuesday that he was "playing with fire" as the Kremlin continues to bomb Ukraine with record numbers of drones.
"What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, a lot of really bad things would have happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Zelensky, who had a falling out with Trump in the Oval Office in late February, still wants the U.S. to impose additional sanctions on Russia, as only increased pressure can force Moscow to think about peace, he told the assembled journalists.
The Ukrainian president also warned that Russian forces were preparing for a new large-scale offensive and had massed more than 50,000 troops near the border with Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, where they aim to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone.