Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that security guarantees for Kyiv to conclude the conflict with Russia would only be effective if they are provided by the United States. He expressed his hope to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump shortly after his inauguration.

In a recent interview with U.S. podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukrainians are relying on Trump to compel Moscow to cease its military actions. He warned that if Washington were to withdraw from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), it could lead to increased Russian aggression in Europe.

As Trump prepares to return to the White House on January 20, nearly three years after Russia’s invasion, there is a mix of optimism for a diplomatic resolution and concern in Kyiv that a swift peace might come with significant costs. During the three-hour YouTube interview, Zelenskiy reiterated his call for Ukraine’s NATO membership, arguing that a ceasefire without robust security guarantees would only allow Russia to regroup for future offensives.

Zelenskiy highlighted the crucial role the White House under Trump could play in offering these security guarantees, noting that he and the president-elect share a vision of achieving peace through a strong stance against aggression. He remarked, “Without the United States, security guarantees are not feasible. These guarantees are essential to deter Russian aggression,” implicitly recognizing that Ukraine’s European allies may lack the military strength to defend themselves independently.

Zelenskiy argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not genuinely interested in meaningful negotiations to resolve the conflict, asserting that the Kremlin leader must be pressured into agreeing to a sustainable peace. The current situation on the battlefield is the most difficult for Ukraine since the initial stages of Russia’s invasion in 2022, with Kyiv’s significantly outnumbered forces losing ground in the eastern Donbas region for several months.

While he acknowledged that the future is ultimately in the hands of the United States, Zelenskiy warned that any decision by Washington under Trump to withdraw from NATO would undermine the military alliance and encourage Putin’s ambitions in Europe. “If that happens, Putin will devastate Europe,” he stated.

The Ukrainian president expressed the need to engage in discussions with Trump to establish a strategy to counter the Kremlin, emphasizing that European governments should also play a role in this dialogue before Ukraine can negotiate with Russia.

Regarding a potential visit, Zelenskiy mentioned that Trump had indicated during their conversation late last year that an official Ukrainian visit to the United States would occur shortly after he assumes office. “He mentioned that my visit would be among his first priorities. This issue is significant to him, and I am hopeful for our meeting,” he remarked. Additionally, he stated that he would attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20 if he receives an official invitation.

The interview was released the evening following the launch of a new offensive by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, where they established an enclave during a surprise incursion last August. For several months, Ukraine has claimed that Russia has stationed thousands of North Korean troops in the Kursk area to support its military operations.

Zelenskiy estimated that approximately 3,800 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured in the ongoing conflict, but he expressed his belief that Pyongyang could deploy many more troops if it decided to do so.

Additionally, he stated that North Korea has supplied Russia with 3.7 million artillery shells to date, a stark contrast to the 1 million shells provided by the European Union last year. Reuters has not been able to independently verify these numbers.