According to Reuters, on January 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev's security could only be guaranteed with US support, and expressed hope to soon meet Mr. Trump after the inauguration.
Mr Zelensky stressed that not only the government but also the Ukrainian people are looking forward to Mr Trump's next presidency in the hope of ending the conflict with Russia.
The Ukrainian president stressed the role of the US in NATO and said that Russia could escalate tensions if Washington leaves the top military alliance.
In a 3-hour interview on January 6 about the conflict with Russia, the Ukrainian president said: "Without the US, security guarantees are impossible." Mr Zelensky also affirmed that the US President-elect shares the same view on the need to apply a " peaceful through-power" approach to end the conflict.
Mr Zelensky even mentioned Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO. The leader believes that if Kiev does not receive international security guarantees, Russia will be able to rebuild its forces for a new attack.
However, one of the most important conditions Russia has set out to end the conflict with Ukraine is that Kiev must remain neutral and not cooperate with any party. This means Ukraine is not allowed to join NATO.
According to Reuters, a solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine was once again lit up after Donald Trump was re-elected US President in early November 2024.
Trump has previously pledged to end the war in Eastern Europe within 24 hours of taking office. However, a quick peace deal could cost Kiev dearly.
On January 4, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Kiev will hardly be able to turn the battlefield in the coming time, in the context of the Russian army gaining an advantage in many areas in the Donbass region, especially Pokrovsk, which plays an important role in Ukraine's logistics system.
