A “strong” Trump will force Russia to hold peace talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his optimism about the ability of the new “strong” US President Donald Trump to force Russia to enter into peace talks and end the war in Ukraine.

In a 3-hour meeting with American podcast host Lex Friedman, Zelensky said that the role of the elected Republican president is essential to ensuring Ukraine’s security, and opened the way for negotiating a settlement that is also supported by European countries.
Zelensky said, according to the published translation of the interview conducted in Kiev: “Trump and I will reach an agreement, and we will provide strong security guarantees with Europe, and after that we can talk to the Russians.”

He added: “We and Trump take the initiative first, and Europe will support Ukraine’s position.”

Trump mocks Zelensky

Although Trump has long mocked Zelensky to the point of calling him a “salesman,” the president-elect has raised eyebrows in Washington by rarely criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin and occasionally praising him.

During his election campaign, Trump pledged to achieve peace in Ukraine quickly, without mentioning how he would do so.

He also strongly criticized the massive military aid sent by Washington to Ukraine under the Joe Biden administration, raising doubts about the United States’ continued involvement in NATO.

However, Zelensky praised Trump and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk, noting that the president-elect has enough influence to at least freeze the Russian invasion.

Pressure on Putin

“I believe that President Trump not only has the will, but he has all the capabilities, and it’s not just talk. I really depend on him, and I think our people depend on him, so he has enough strength to put pressure on Putin,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president added that European leaders are all waiting to find out what Trump wants.

He continued: “When I talk about something with Donald Trump, whether when we meet in person or just have a phone call, all European leaders always ask: ‘How was it? “This shows Donald Trump’s influence, and nothing like it has ever happened to another American president.”

He added: “This also gives you confidence that he is able to stop this war.”