During a press conference in Kyiv today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to a question about whether or not he was “pressured” by President Trump by saying that he feels that many people in many contexts try to pressure him, but that he does not “feel pressured” by it. The nuanced answer can be interpreted in various ways, so it is presented here in its totality:
Q: Did you feel pressure from President Trump to investigate the Bidens?
A: I want to tell you that I never feel pressure. I have lots of people who like to put pressure on me here and abroad, but I am the President of independent Ukraine, and I’d like to think that my action suggest, no one can put pressure on me.
(clip played on CNN report by Clarissa Ward, not yet available as a link)
The answer seems arguably crafted to differentiate from the line that has been put forward by President Trump and Republicans, that Trump “did not pressure” or attempt to pressure Zelensky. This statement seems to go in the other direction — noting that “lots of people” both “here and abroad” would like to put pressure on Zelensky. This seems to directly avoid making any direct statements as to his perception of President Trump’s intent.
