Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended President-elect Donald Trump’s strength and unpredictability, suggesting they could be pivotal in ending the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky made the remarks during a televised interview on Thursday, where he discussed the potential impact of Trump’s second presidency on the conflict.
“The ‘hot’ stage of the war can end quite quickly if Trump is strong in his position,” Zelensky stated. He expressed hope that Trump’s unpredictability would be strategically directed toward Russia, emphasizing the former president’s capacity to challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky’s optimism comes as Trump has publicly prioritized ending the Russia-Ukraine war but remains guarded about his specific plans. In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump avoided confirming whether he had communicated with Putin since the 2024 election and declined to disclose details about his approach. Trump stressed the importance of confidentiality in negotiation, saying, “When I start exposing [the plan], it becomes almost a worthless plan.”
Despite this, Zelensky expressed confidence in Trump’s intentions, stating, “He can be decisive in ending the war … or more realistically, he can help us stop Putin.” Zelensky reiterated that any proposed peace agreement must include guarantees of Ukraine’s security to prevent future aggression from Russia.
In the interview, Zelensky also underscored the need for peace terms to align with Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. “It cannot be otherwise,” he asserted, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-determination and territorial integrity. Zelensky has previously suggested that either NATO membership or nuclear deterrence would be necessary to ensure lasting security.
As Trump’s inauguration approaches, questions remain about how his administration will balance diplomatic efforts with Ukraine’s demands for robust security guarantees.
