Boxing champ Oleksandr Usyk urges Trump to ‘open eyes’ over war in Ukraine: ‘This is my territory, the territory of my country’

New York Post - Apr 29th, 2025
Open on New York Post

In a candid interview with Piers Morgan, Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk strongly criticized any peace deal that involves Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, calling it 'bulls--t.' Usyk, whose home was destroyed in the Russian invasion, directly addressed former President Trump, urging him to 'open eyes' and stop the war without conceding Ukrainian land. The boxer emphasized his stance that the territory belongs to Ukraine and its people, insisting that Russia's actions are widely recognized as unjust. Trump's ongoing frustration with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is evident as he attempts to broker a peace settlement, with American negotiators advocating for mutual concessions.

The context of Usyk's remarks underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict and the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution. The Kremlin remains firm in its unwillingness to relinquish captured territories, while international efforts focus on establishing a ceasefire to halt the violence. Usyk's influence extends beyond the ring, as his championship belt was noted during Zelensky's recent Oval Office meeting with Trump, symbolizing Ukraine's resistance and determination. Meanwhile, Trump's passion for combat sports adds a personal dimension to his diplomatic endeavors, as he navigates the intricate dynamics between Moscow and Kyiv in pursuit of peace.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article effectively highlights Oleksandr Usyk's strong opposition to any peace deal involving Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, capturing his passionate plea to former President Trump. While the story is timely and addresses a significant public interest issue, it suffers from a lack of balance and source diversity, relying heavily on Usyk's perspective without incorporating broader geopolitical analysis or expert opinions. The factual accuracy is generally solid, though there are some inaccuracies, such as the claim about Usyk's boxing record, which detracts from the overall credibility. The article is clear and engaging, with potential to influence public discourse, but its impact is limited by the absence of detailed exploration of the diplomatic context and alternative viewpoints. Overall, the story provides a compelling narrative but would benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and balanced representation of perspectives.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports Oleksandr Usyk's statements against a peace deal involving Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, reflecting his known public stance. However, some claims require further verification, such as Usyk's home in Bucha being destroyed, which is plausible but not detailed in the story. The mention of Trump's frustration with both Putin and Zelensky aligns with his past statements, but the specifics of his negotiation efforts are not detailed, lacking precision. The story's claim about Usyk defeating Tyson Fury twice is inaccurate; Usyk has not fought Fury, which affects the story's credibility. The mention of Zelensky bringing Usyk's championship belt to the White House is plausible but needs confirmation from official records.

6
Balance

The story predominantly presents Usyk's perspective, which is strongly against any territorial concessions to Russia. While it mentions Trump's negotiation efforts and the Kremlin's stance, it lacks a comprehensive view of the ongoing diplomatic negotiations, potentially skewing the narrative. The absence of perspectives from Russian officials or other international stakeholders results in an imbalanced representation of the issue. The story could benefit from including more viewpoints, particularly those from diplomatic circles or experts on international relations, to provide a fuller picture of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to follow, with a straightforward presentation of Usyk's views and the surrounding context. The language is accessible, and the structure logically flows from Usyk's interview to the broader geopolitical implications. However, some details, such as the nature of Trump's negotiations or the specific territorial issues at stake, could be more explicitly explained to enhance reader comprehension.

5
Source quality

The story relies heavily on Usyk's interview with Piers Morgan, which is a credible source for his personal views but not for broader geopolitical analysis. There is no indication of additional sources or expert opinions to corroborate claims about international negotiations or Trump's involvement. The lack of diverse sources diminishes the article's reliability, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation or verify Usyk's claims with independent evidence.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding the basis for some of its claims, particularly those related to Trump's negotiation efforts and the Kremlin's position. It does not explain how these conclusions were reached or provide background information on the broader context of the conflict. The absence of clear attribution or methodology for these claims affects the reader's ability to assess the story's impartiality and credibility.

Sources

  1. https://kyivindependent.com/tag/oleksandr-usyk/
  2. https://www.instagram.com/kyivindependent_official/p/DBj7AZHCOrX/
  3. https://kyivindependent.com/usyk-appeals-to-trump-to-help-free-azovstal-defenders-from-russian-captivity/
  4. https://ukrainetoday.org/trump-does-not-understand-the-reason-for-the-war-in-ukraine-experts-explained-what-the-us-president-is-wrong-about/
  5. https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/usyk-addresses-dubois-british-boxer-responds-1745830436.html