Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could only be possible if the United States offered security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says US security guarantees are required for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelenskyy presented his case for the ceasefire with Russia and how US President-elect Donald Trump can help secure it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said repeatedly since Ukraine’s invasion in February 2022 that he is open to negotiating a ceasefire with Ukraine but has stuck to maximalist demands. He has stated that Ukraine should ensure it would not enter blocs such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) and commit to limits on its military, among other demands related to how language is taught and used in Ukraine.
Even though Trump has slammed Zelenskyy for emptying US coffers and his allies have floated plans that would essentially serve Russia victory on a platter by freezing conflict lines on the grounds and taking Nato-EU memberships off the table, Zelenskyy sought to appease Trump throughout the three-hour conversation, calling him a “strong,” “young,” and someone whose “brain works.”
Even though outgoing US President Joe Biden has supported Ukraine to the hilt and Trump and his allies have historically been friendly with Russia, Zelenskyy said Trump is “intellectually and physically” stronger than both Biden and outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris.
