Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says any security guarantees for his country to end the war with Russia would only be meaningful if they were provided by the United States and that he hopes to meet with President-elect Donald Trump soon after his January 20 inauguration.
"Without the United States, security guarantees are not possible," he said in a three-hour interview published on January 5 with U.S. podcaster Lex Fridman.
"I mean security guarantees that can prevent Russian aggression."
In the interview, which took place in Kyiv and in English, Ukrainian, and even Russian at times, Zelenskiy stressed his belief that any cease-fire without security guarantees for Kyiv would be used by the Kremlin as an opportunity to resupply and reorganize for new offensives.
SEE ALSO: Ukraine Can Expect Further U.S. Aid Offers Before Biden Leaves Office, White House SaysAs the third anniversary of Russia's unprovoked, full-scale invasion approaches on February 24, the death and destruction continues in many Ukrainian cities -- mainly in the east and in territory occupied by Kremlin forces -- and across the border in Russia's Kursk region.
Uncertain times lie ahead for Kyiv, with Trump set to reclaim the White House on January 20.
Trump, who has vocally criticized the volume of U.S. aid to Ukraine, has repeatedly vowed to bring the conflict to a quick end, though he has provided few details. Many Ukraine supporters are concerned he will press terms unacceptable to Kyiv.
A push for a cease-fire is almost certain, however, in light of Trump's promises to end the war quickly.
The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden shepherded some $60 billion to Ukraine in weapons, equipment, and other aid over the past four years.
Zelenskiy has a long, difficult history with the incoming president.
Trump's first impeachment as president in 2019 was sparked by a phone call between Trump and Zelenskiy in which Trump appeared to condition U.S. military aid on Zelenskiy ordering a criminal investigation of Biden.
Trump has taken aim at Zelenskiy several times. During his presidential campaign, he repeated his description of the Ukrainian president as "the greatest salesman in the world" -- a reference to the tens of billions of dollars in aid that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have approved since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
However, in the interview, Zelenskiy said he is confident Trump will help bring a fair, sustainable peace deal, along with the required security assurances.
SEE ALSO: What A Ukraine Peace Plan Could Look Like"Trump and I will come to an agreement and...offer strong security guarantees, together with Europe, and then we can talk to the Russians," Zelenskiy said.
"We and Trump come first, and Europe will support Ukraine's position," he said.
"I think that President Trump not only has the will, he has all these possibilities, and it's not just talk," Zelenskiy added.
"I really count on him, and I think that our people really count on him, so he has enough power to pressure him, to pressure [Russian President Vladimir] Putin."
Asked what he would need to consider a cease-fire, Zelenskiy said security guarantees, preferably within the NATO alliance -- something Putin has vehemently opposed.
NATO membership was one of the Kremlin's original grievances used to justify the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In any settlement, Zelenskiy said, Western partners should, at the least, guarantee security in Ukrainian territory not now occupied by Russia, continue to supply military assistance, and to keep in place the economic sanctions that have devastated Russia's economy.
"If we do not have security guarantees, Putin will come again," he said.
Zelenskiy said Putin's goals are to bring about "a weak NATO" and a "Ukraine which cannot survive on the battlefield," and to "prevent me from building a strong relationship with Trump."
SEE ALSO: How The World Will Change In 2025Zelenskiy also relayed what he said was a phone conversation with close Kremlin ally Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the authoritarian ruler of neighboring Belarus.
Zelenskiy said that in the first days following Russia's full-scale invasion, Lukashenka apologized for the missiles that were fired from Belarus territory.
"He said that 'it was not me. Missiles were launched from my territory and Putin was the one launching them.'"
Zelenskiy said the Belarus strongman told him: "Volodymyr, this is not me. I'm not in charge.... I’m not in charge. These are just missiles. This is Putin."
"I told him, 'You are a murderer, too, I’m just saying.' He told me, 'You must understand, you can't fight the Russians.'"