Iranian paper praises Zelensky for Trump confrontation

Iran's establishment daily called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s showdown with US President Donald Trump a victory and an example of talking but not conceding to Washington.

"Zelensky's victorious confrontation with Trump showed that one can negotiate with the devil and prevail. It is not the case that every negotiation leads to concessions," the newspaper wrote in an editorial on Sunday, praising the Ukrainian leader’s defiance during a tense Oval Office meeting on Friday.

"Some believe negotiation with America is futile. But Zelensky demonstrated that with courage and clarity, one can not only resist pressure but emerge triumphant," it added.

The paper said that while Trump and his team attempted to corner Zelensky, pressuring him to accept a peace plan favorable to both Moscow and Washington, “Instead, Zelensky removed the mask from Trump's face" and publicly accused the US of falling for Russian deception. "The arrogance Trump displayed was shattered by Zelensky's frank and courageous behavior."

Shortly after the meeting between Trump and Zelensky made international headlines, the office of Iran's Supreme Leader seized the moment to revive his warnings about reliance on the West.

Ali Khamenei's official X account reposted his 2022 remarks on Ukraine. "The first lesson from the situation in Ukraine is that Western support for countries and governments that are their puppets is a mirage," it said. "All governments must understand this. Those governments relying on the US and Europe should look at the current situation in Ukraine."

Khamenei has banned diplomatic talks with the US, in spite of support from the likes of the country's president. Last month the Supreme Leader called negotiations "neither wise, nor intelligent, nor honorable."