Zelensky Says Ukraine Can Defend Itself After Trump Criticism
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country has the right to defend itself.
He made this statement after US President Donald Trump called recent strikes a "disgrace".
Trump also said Zelensky is more difficult to work with than Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This is a strong comment, since Russia started the war against Ukraine.
European Union leaders have rallied around Zelensky after Trump's criticism.
To rally around someone means to show support during a difficult time.
The EU is a group of 27 European countries that work together on many issues.
Many EU leaders have supported Ukraine since the war with Russia began.
They see Ukraine as defending itself against an unfair invasion.
An invasion happens when one country sends soldiers into another country.
Trump's comments show a possible change in how the US views the conflict.
Some people worry this could affect US support for Ukraine.
Others hope Trump's words will not change Western unity.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for a long time.
Both sides have suffered many losses, and diplomacy has often failed.
Diplomacy means solving problems between countries through talking, not fighting.
Leaders around the world are watching how this situation develops.
Vocabulary10 words
- defend
- to protect from attack
- strikes
- attacks using weapons like missiles
- rally
- to come together to support someone
- invasion
- when one country sends soldiers into another
- diplomacy
- solving problems by talking, not fighting
- disgrace
- something considered very shameful or wrong
- criticism
- comments that say someone did something badly
- conflict
- a serious disagreement, often involving fighting
- unity
- when people stay together and agree
- statement
- something officially said or announced
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Quiz
Answer key
1. The right to defend itself 2. A disgrace 3. EU leaders
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country has the right to _____ itself.
He made this statement after US President Donald Trump called recent _____ a "disgrace".
Trump also said Zelensky is more difficult to work with than Russian President Vladimir _____.
European Union leaders have _____ around Zelensky after Trump's criticism.
The EU is a group of 27 European countries that work together on many _____.
They see Ukraine as defending itself against an unfair _____.
Trump's comments show a possible change in how the US views the _____.
Some people worry this could affect US _____ for Ukraine.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for a long _____.
Both sides have suffered many losses, and _____ has often failed.
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