Ukraine’s Zelenskyy hopes Trump could help end war with Russia ‘sooner’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could accelerate the end of the war with Russia, according to state news agency Ukrinform.

“With the policies of the team that will now lead the White House, the war will end sooner,’ said Zelenskyy.

In an interview with public broadcaster Suspilne, Zelenskyy discussed the state of Ukraine-U.S. relations and reflected on past conversations with Trump about resolving the conflict, which has raged since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

‘Sit and listen’ rhetoric doesn’t work

“He (Trump) has heard the basis on which we stand. I have not heard anything against our position,” Zelenskyy said.

When asked if Trump had ever suggested that Ukraine should enter negotiations with Russia, Zelenskyy asserted Ukraine’s independence in its decision-making process.

“We are an independent country. During this war, both our people and I, personally, have been in negotiations with the United States, with both Trump and Biden, and with European leaders. We have proven that the ‘sit and listen’ rhetoric doesn’t work with us,” he said.

Zelenskyy also expressed hope that under Trump’s leadership, the war could conclude sooner.

“It is very important for us to achieve a just peace, one that ensures we don’t feel like we have lost our best people due to imposed injustice. While the exact date of the war’s end is unknown, certainly, with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House, the war will end sooner. This is their approach, their pledge to their public, and it’s important for them,” he added.

Trump, who won the Nov. 5 presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris, has previously questioned U.S. military support for Kyiv, asserting that he could resolve the conflict in just one day if re-elected.

Zelenskyy criticizes Putin-Scholz talks, calls it ‘Pandora’s box’

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy criticized a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, which took place earlier on Friday.

In a video address, Zelenskyy revealed that Scholz had informed him in advance about the call, which Zelenskyy described as a diplomatic maneuver by Putin to end Russia’s global isolation.

‘We need real peace’

“This is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time: to end Russia’s isolation and engage in negotiations that will lead nowhere,” Zelenskyy said. “We understand these challenges, and we know how to act.”

He also reiterated his rejection of any settlement similar to previous Minsk agreements.

“There will be no Minsk-3. What we need is real peace,” Zelenskyy stated.

The phone call between Putin and Scholz marked their first conversation since December 2022.