Zelensky stated that talks with Putin are possible after a conversation with Trump, but there’s a condition to consider before proceeding.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced that the first negotiations to end the war will take place with the elected American President Donald Trump after his inauguration. Following that, talks will occur with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, but only if the American leader offers "strong security guarantees for Ukraine."

Zelensky made this statement in an interview with American podcaster Lex Friedman, suggesting that a conversation with Trump could happen as early as January.

"I think on January 25 or another day we will sit down primarily with Trump. We will agree on how we can stop the war and Putin," said the head of state.

The president also emphasized the importance of Europe having a voice, "because Europe will be looking at us and Trump." He noted that all European leaders always ask Zelensky about his conversations or meetings with Trump. Zelensky stressed that if the American leader offers strong security guarantees for Ukraine, then a conversation with the Russians could follow.

"And that’s how it should be, not just jumping into a three-way conversation," he emphasized.

At the same time, the Ukrainian president suggested that Trump might find himself in a difficult political situation if he reaches a ceasefire without providing Ukraine with adequate security guarantees. In his view, this could resemble the situation Zelensky faced in 2019.

"Don't wait for Putin's willingness. Force him to do what is necessary to end the war - that’s important," concluded the Ukrainian president.

Zelensky's Interview with Lex Friedman

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a three-hour interview with popular American podcaster Lex Friedman. In it, he discussed events on the front lines, shared his views on newly elected US President Donald Trump and NATO, and talked with Friedman about matters in Ukraine and beyond. Key statements include:

• Zelensky has no respect for either Russia, Putin, or the Russian people. Putin is a deaf dictator, and the Russians are a mute nation that is futile to address; this was evident at the beginning of the war, and it had no effect. The disrespect towards Russia, Russians, and the Russian language in Ukraine is due to the war. However, legally, the Russian language is not banned in Ukraine.
• "This is bullshit!": Zelensky emotionally described the actions of allies before the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• At the beginning of the war, Lukashenko called and apologized to Zelensky for the rockets flying from Belarus and the entry of Russian troops.
• Trump could become the first world leader to fly to Ukraine after the war ends.
• There were companies in Ukraine that wanted to profit from the war. They were not allowed to do so, and they took offense.
• Corruption in Ukraine is as prevalent as in Europe. Ukraine’s anti-corruption system is one of the most complex in the world. Interestingly, much of what is termed corruption in Ukraine is considered "lobbying" in the West and is legal.
• Ukraine has imprisoned Kolomoisky. Neither the US nor Europe could achieve this.
• Security guarantees without the US are worthless; without the US, they hold no value.
• Ukraine does not need a new Budapest Memorandum. "In 2014, all the security guarantors of the Budapest Memorandum were indifferent to Ukraine."
• Ukraine will agree to a ceasefire only if it receives all the necessary weapons to repel a potential attack from Russia.
• Putin fears Trump. This should be leveraged. Ukraine hopes that Trump can end the war since he currently has all the means to do so.
• North Korea could send another 30, 40, or even 500 thousand of its soldiers to Ukraine, as the West is doing nothing to prevent this.
• Zelensky commented on Putin's statements about "love" for the Russian peoples. "Did he kill Chechens with love? Do they not matter?"
• Elections in Ukraine will only occur after the war, as this is how Ukrainian legislation is structured. Regarding a second term - other issues are currently more important than that.
• Ukraine would like to reduce taxes, but this is only possible after the war.
• Zelensky rejects the notion that he is controlled by any oligarchs. "I am an independent and ambitious person; I cannot subordinate myself to anyone."
• The president expressed satisfaction with having people like Yermak around him.
• Zelensky proposed to Trump to give Ukraine $300 billion of frozen Russian assets so that Ukraine could order weapons from the United States.
• Ukraine must join NATO. This is not up for discussion. Kyiv is even willing for Article 5 not to apply to temporarily occupied territories.
• It is not advisable to repeat Merkel's actions, which, to please the Kremlin, hindered Ukraine's invitation to NATO.