President Volodymyr Zelensky again showed the more problematic side to his otherwise impressive wartime leadership on Thursday. Namely, his penchant for putting ego and emotion before Ukraine’s diplomatic priorities.

In an interview with ABC News, Zelensky blamed the U.S. and other world powers for the Russian offensive against Ukraine’s northeastern bastion city of Kharkiv. Asked the somewhat odd question as to whether he believed the U.S. was to blame for the Russian offensive, Zelensky responded, “It’s the world’s fault, they gave the opportunity for Putin to occupy. But now the world can help.” Asked about American voter concerns over aid spending, Zelensky argued, “That money is not given to Ukraine. It’s money spent in American factories, creating American jobs. … And we are not just fighting for our freedom. If not Ukraine, it would be another country.” ABC’s reporter referenced Zelensky as having a broader “sense of frustration” in terms of Western support.