by Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth
KYIV (Reuters) – Volodimir Zelensky said on Thursday that he had no knowledge of the slightest detail of the plan that Donald Trump claims to have to quickly end the war in Ukraine, expressing however his conviction that a rapid cessation of hostilities could only imply important concessions for his country.
Speaking at a press conference at the European Political Community summit in Budapest, the Ukrainian president said he was convinced of Donald Trump's desire to quickly end the war sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 but he added that he had not spoken of any plan in this direction with the future president of the United States.
“If it's just moving quickly, it means losses for Ukraine. I just don't understand yet how it could be otherwise. Maybe we don't know something, we don't see,” he said.
Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election on Tuesday comes as Russia has been advancing inexorably for weeks in eastern Ukraine and, according to Kyiv and its supporters, thousands of North Korean soldiers are now supporting the Russia's war effort in Russia's Kursk region, where the Ukrainian army broke through in August.
The United States, under the presidency of Democrat Joe Biden, is Ukraine's main supporter in its war against Russia. During his election campaign, however, Donald Trump criticized the extent of this support and claimed that he would end the conflict in 24 hours, without saying how.
ZELENSKY HOSTILE TO ANY CEASE-FIRE WITHOUT GUARANTEES
Volodimir Zelensky was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Donald Trump after his victory. The two men spoke on Wednesday evening and the Ukrainian president described their discussion as “excellent”.
“I think President Trump really wants a quick decision. Wants, that doesn't mean it's going to happen. And I'm not making any reproaches, I'm just saying we are where we are.” he told reporters in Budapest.
During the Valdai club forum in Sochi, Vladimir Putin for his part declared on Thursday that he was ready to discuss with Donald Trump, judging that any proposal intended to facilitate a solution to the “Ukrainian crisis” deserved attention.
In an interview broadcast Thursday by NBC, Donald Trump said he had not yet spoken with the Russian president since his election victory, nevertheless adding: “I think we will talk.”
In Budapest, Volodimir Zelensky said it was necessary to “prepare for any decision”. “We want a just end to the war. I am sure that an imminent end to the war means losses,” he added.
He expressed in strong terms his opposition to the idea of a ceasefire which would not be accompanied by security guarantees for Ukraine. Kyiv demands such guarantees to prevent Moscow from taking advantage of a respite to prepare for a new, larger offensive in the future.
“It is a very frightening challenge for our fellow citizens: first a ceasefire and then we will see afterwards. Who are you? Are your children dying?” launched Volodimir Zelensky, whose The remarks appeared to be directed at Viktor Orban, host of the summit, where the Hungarian prime minister reiterated his call for a ceasefire as a first step towards resolving the conflict.
(version française Bertrand Boucey)
