 |
| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky | Photo: Reuters |
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called US President-elect Donald Trump a "strongman." Zelensky said he hopes Trump can force Russia to engage in peace talks and end the war in Ukraine.
In a three-hour conversation with US podcaster Lex Friedman, Zelensky said Trump would play an important role in ensuring Ukraine's security by opening the way to resolve the crisis through negotiations with the support of European countries.
The New Year's Eve interview in Kyiv, translated and published, said Zelensky: "Trump and I will come to an agreement and... we will ensure strong security together with Europe. Then we can talk to the Russians."
Trump, meanwhile, has often derided Zelensky as a "sellout" but has rarely criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, even praising the Russian leader.
During the election campaign, Trump said he would bring peace to Ukraine as soon as he took office. Although he did not say how he would do so, Trump has also sharply criticized the extensive military assistance provided to Ukraine under the administration of US President Joe Biden. He has also expressed doubts about the continued US involvement in the Western military alliance NATO.
But Zelensky has been full of praise for Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, suggesting that the newly elected US president has the power to at least halt an attack by neighboring Russia.
"I think Trump has not only the will, but also all kinds of possibilities, and this is not just through words. I can trust him. And I think our people really trust him. He has enough power to put pressure on Putin," Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian president said European leaders are waiting to see what Trump wants.
Asked what Ukraine wants to agree to a ceasefire agreement, Zelensky said security guarantees, especially within NATO.
Zelensky said that Western countries should provide minimum security guarantees to the regions of Ukraine that have not yet been occupied. In addition, arms shipments should continue and the country should continue to be punished by maintaining economic sanctions on Russia.
The Ukrainian president said, "If we don't get security guarantees, Putin will come again."
Zelensky has warned against the US commitment to NATO or the US withdrawal from the alliance. Trump has repeatedly hinted at withdrawing from the alliance, claiming that the long-standing alliance is taking advantage of Washington.
Zelensky said that if the United States leaves NATO, the alliance will die.
Donald Trump will take office as US president on January 20. Asked whether he would attend the event, Zelensky said, "If he invites me, I will go."