Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism that a "strong" future US president like Donald Trump will succeed in forcing Russia to start peace talks.
In a three-hour discussion with U.S. podcaster Lex Friedman, Zelensky argued that the newly elected Republican president would be vital to ensuring Ukraine's security, opening the way for a negotiated settlement backed by European nations.
"Trump and I will reach an agreement and ... offer strong security guarantees, together with Europe, and then we can talk to the Russians," Zelensky said, according to a published translation of the interview conducted in Kiev on New Year's Day .
"We and Trump stand on the front line, and Europe will support Ukraine's position," he added.
Trump promised during his election campaign that he would bring peace to Ukraine immediately, but did not say how. He sharply criticized the massive military aid sent to Ukraine under President Joe Biden.
However, Zelensky showered praise on Trump, as well as his billionaire adviser, Ilon Musk, and suggested that the president-elect has the necessary clout to at least freeze Russian aggression.
"I think President Trump not only has the will, he has all these capabilities, and it's not just talk. I'm really counting on him and I think our people are really counting on him, so he has enough power to squeeze, to put pressure on Putin," Zelensky explained.
The Ukrainian president pointed out that all European leaders are waiting to see what Trump wants.
"When I talk about something with Donald Trump - whether we meet in person or just have a conversation - all European leaders always ask "how was it?" That shows Donald Trump's influence, and that has never happened with an American president. This also gives confidence that he can stop the war," Zelensky said.
Zelensky also said that Republican Trump won his election against Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris because "he's much stronger" than her.
Trump has shown strength "intellectually and physically. It was an important moment to show that if you want to have a strong country, you have to be strong. And he was strong," the Ukrainian head of state continued.
Asked what Ukraine needed to agree to a ceasefire, Zelensky replied: security guarantees - preferably within the NATO framework.
He stressed that the West should, at a minimum, guarantee the security of Ukraine's unoccupied regions, continue arms shipments and maintain punitive economic sanctions against Russia.
"If we don't have security guarantees, Putin will come again."
Zelensky warned of the danger of a possible weakening of the US commitment to NATO or even an exit from the alliance - something Trump has hinted at repeatedly, claiming longtime allies are taking undue advantage of Washington.
A U.S. exit would be "the end. That is, it's the death of NATO," Zelensky noted.
The Ukrainian leader pointed out that Putin's goals are "a weak NATO," "a Ukraine that cannot survive on the battlefield," and "to prevent me from building a strong relationship with Trump."
Asked if he would like to attend Trump's inauguration on January 20, Zelensky said that would only happen if Trump invited him personally. | BGNES
