{
  "id": 15497652,
  "title": "Zelensky says Ukraine will lose the war if US switches sides",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelensky-says-ukraine-will-lose-the-war-if-us-switches-sides",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T21:54:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/259775/world/zelensky-says-ukraine-will-lose-the-war-if-us-switches-sides"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday that his nation would suffer a defeat in its defensive conflict against Russia if the United States were to switch its allegiance and back Moscow. Speaking on NBC's \"Meet the Press,\" Zelensky stated, \"If the United States will take the side of Russia, of course we will not prevail.\" He criticized the potential withdrawal of US support for Ukraine as \"a historic mistake and big tragedy.\" Recently, US President Donald Trump suspended new sanctions against Russia and struck a deal over diesel supplies, a move Zelensky deemed unhelpful for reducing US petrol prices. The Ukrainian leader also lamented recent US limitations on Ukraine's war efforts, particularly the restriction on the use of the Starlink satellite network. Zelensky perceived this throttling of Ukrainian counterattacks as a deliberate message from the US government, aimed at bolstering Russian President Vladimir Putin's position. Intelligence regarding ballistic missiles, which is crucial for Ukraine, had been blocked, but this restriction has now been lifted, according to Zelensky. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied allegations of intentionally slowing down internet speeds to hinder Ukrainian drone operations, stating that such an action \"sort of happened\" but it has since been restored. Rubio clarified that Ukraine was utilizing the Starlink satellite internet for drone flights and affirmed that Ukraine did not have access to the military internet system Starshield, which is a separate contract with the US military. Zelensky refrained from commenting on Trump's personal criticisms but reaffirmed their strategic partnership with the United States, while rejecting Putin's assessment that Putin could negotiate better with him than with Zelensky.",
  "summary": "dpaKiev/WashingtonUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday said his country will lose its defensive battle against Russia, which invaded it in February 2022, if the United...",
  "key_points": [
    "Ukrainian President Zelensky warns of defeat if US backs Russia.",
    "US suspending sanctions and deal on diesel supplies criticized.",
    "Starlink internet limitations on Ukraine's war efforts denounced."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "Zelensky announces meetings in Europe to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelensky-announces-meetings-in-europe-to-strengthen-ukraines-air",
        "published": "2026-10-18T18:23:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Zelensky says US resumes intelligence sharing with Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelensky-says-us-resumes-intelligence-sharing-with-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-10-18T19:40:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Zelensky: Ukraine has retaken more territory than Russia captured this fall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/zelensky-ukraine-has-retaken-more-territory-than-russia-captured-this",
        "published": "2026-10-18T22:34:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}