KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned late on Sunday that safety ensures for Kyiv to finish Russia’s battle would solely be efficient if the US offers them, and he hoped to satisfy U.S. President-elect Donald Trump quickly after his inauguration.
In an interview with U.S. podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelenskiy praised the incoming U.S president, who has vowed to quickly finish the battle with out explaining how, saying Ukrainians had been relying on him to compel Moscow to comply with an enduring peace.
Nearly three years after Russia’s invasion, the election of Trump, who returns to the White Home on Jan. 20, has sparked hope of a diplomatic decision to cease the battle, but in addition fears in Kyiv {that a} fast peace may come at a excessive value.
Zelenskiy used the three-hour interview printed on YouTube to name for Kyiv’s NATO membership and emphasised his perception {that a} ceasefire with out safety ensures for Kyiv would merely give Russia time to rearm for a brand new assault.
The Ukrainian chief mentioned the White Home below Trump had an important function to play in offering safety ensures and asserted he and the U.S. president-elect noticed eye to eye on the necessity for a “peace through strength” strategy to ending the battle.
“Without the United States security guarantees are not possible. I mean these security guarantees that can prevent Russian aggression,” he mentioned.
He mentioned he wanted to take a seat down with Trump to find out a plan of action to halt Russia, and European governments additionally wanted to have a voice in that course of earlier than Kyiv may sit down for direct talks with the Russian aspect.