The president Volodymyr Zelensky He expressed optimism in an interview published Sunday that “strong” incoming US President Donald Trump will be able to force Russia into peace talks and end the war in Ukraine.
In a three-hour discussion with American podcaster Lex FridmanZelensky said the Republican president-elect will be vital to ensuring Ukraine’s security, paving the way for a negotiated solution also backed by European nations.
“Trump and I will reach an agreement and… we will offer strong security guarantees, together with Europe, and then we can talk to the Russians,” Zelensky said, according to the published translation of the interview conducted in kyiv over the New Year.
“We and Trump come first, and Europe will support Ukraine’s position,” he said.
Trump has frequently mocked Zelensky, calling him a “salesman.”while he has surprised in Washington by his rarely criticized the Russian president, Vladimir Putinand even for speaking with admiration of the Kremlin leader.
Trump said during his election campaign that he would bring peace to Ukraine immediately, although he did not say how. He has sharply criticized the huge military aid sent to Ukraine under President Joe Biden and has expressed doubts about the United States’ continued participation in the Western military alliance NATO.
However, Zelensky praised Trump and his billionaire advisor Elon Muskand suggested that the president-elect had the influence to at least freeze the Russian invasion of its neighbor.
“I believe that President Trump not only has the will, he has all these possibilities, and they are not just words. “I really count on him, and I think our people really count on him, so he has enough power to put pressure on him, to put pressure on Putin,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president said European leaders are waiting to see what Trump wants.
“When I talk about something with Donald Trump, whether in person or on the phone, all the European leaders always ask me: ‘How was it?’ This shows the influence of Donald Trump, and This has never happened before with an American president.”he stated.
“This also gives you confidence that he can stop this war.”
On the other hand, Zelensky expressed his willingness to reach an agreement with Russia and renounce the territories controlled by Moscow in exchange for the rest of the country being admitted to NATO and receiving security guarantees.
Fridman asked the Ukrainian president if NATO would accept the integration of Ukraine minus Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Crimea.
“NATO’s invitation would be for Ukraine (…), but NATO can operate in the part that is controlled by Ukraine. Can we agree on this? I’m sure it is. Yes. It is not a great success for us, but if there is a diplomatic way to end the war, that is the first thing,” he said.
Zelensky clarified that this option would only be possible if there is a “weapons package” planned. “I can’t say publicly with what, but it’s no secret to President Trump. It depends mainly on the will of the United States. The EU would give us one part and the United States the other. There needs to be unity for this package,” he said.
Zelensky also intervened in American politics and said that Republican Trump won his election against Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harrisbecause “he was much stronger” than the Democrat.
Trump showed “intellectual and physical” strength, Zelensky said. “It was an important point to show that if you want to have a strong country, you have to be strong. And he was strong.”
When asked what Ukraine needed to agree to a ceasefire, Zelensky said security guarantees, preferably within NATO.
He said the West should at a minimum guarantee the security of unoccupied areas of Ukraine, continue arms shipments and maintain economic sanctions against Russia.
“If we do not have security guarantees, Putin will come again”he stated.
Zelensky warned against a weakening of the United States’ commitment to NATO or even an exit from it, something Trump has repeatedly hinted at, claiming that long-time allies are taking advantage of Washington.
The departure of the United States would be “the end, that is, the death of NATO,” Zelensky stated.
The Ukrainian leader said that Putin’s goals are a “NATO weak”a “Ukraine that cannot survive on the battlefield” and “prevent me from building a strong relationship with Trump.”
When asked if he would like to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Zelensky said that would only happen if “President Trump invites me personally.”
(With information from AFP and Europa Press)
