Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that US President-elect Donald Trump’s “unpredictability” could help end the war with Russia.
Mr Trump, who takes office on 20 January, has said he will end the nearly three-year conflict in “24 hours” once in power, a claim that has drawn scepticism from Ukraine, which fears it will be forced to give up land for peace.
“He’s very strong and unpredictable, and I would really like to see President Trump’s unpredictability apply to Russia. I believe he really wants to end the war,” Mr Zelensky said in an interview with Ukrainian TV.
The Ukrainian leader has sought to build bridges with Mr Trump and his team since November’s US election amid fears the Republican could slow vital military aid or halt it entirely.
Mr Zelensky said he wanted to ensure that any US plan on a settlement took account of Ukraine’s views.
“It cannot be otherwise. We are Ukraine and it’s our independence, our land and our future.”
He also hoped that Trump’s administration could establish quick contact with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow is open to talks but they must take account of Russia’s gains in the war and its annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Meanwhile Mr Zelensky also said he supported the idea of France deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine to guarantee a future peace deal with Russia if one arises, but stressed this would need to be a step towards joining the NATO military alliance.
“We support this initiative, but France alone is not enough. We would not want it to be one or two countries if it comes to this initiative. It should definitely be on the way to NATO,” Mr Zelensky said.
French President Emmanuel Macron has floated the idea of Western troops being sent to Ukraine before, saying last year that boots on the ground could not be ruled out.
Separately, Mr Zelensky acknowledged Ukraine’s army was suffering fatigue amid Russia’s relentless assault on the front line.
“They are pressing and the guys are tired,” Mr Zelensky said.
Russia advanced by almost 4,000 square kilometres in Ukraine last year, according to an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War, as Ukraine’s army struggled with chronic manpower shortages and exhaustion.
First elected in 2019, Mr Zelensky repeated that new elections could not be held as long as a wartime state of emergency remained in place, but said he would consider running again once conditions permitted.
“I don’t know how this war will end,” he said. “If I can do more than I am able, then I will probably view such a decision (seeking a new term) more positively. For now this is not an objective for me.”
