President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia’s war against his country will “end sooner” than it otherwise would have once Donald Trump becomes US President next year.
In a radio interview aired on Saturday, November 16, 2024, Zelenskyy admitted that the battlefield situation in eastern Ukraine was difficult and Russia was making advances.
He said that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, was not interested in agreeing to a peace deal.
Zelenskyy noted that US legislation prevented him from meeting Trump before his inauguration next January. He said that he would only talk with Trump rather than an Emissary or Adviser.
“I, as the President of Ukraine, will only take seriously a conversation with the President of the United States of America, with all due respect to any entourage, to any people.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy disclosed that he had a “constructive exchange” with Trump during their phone conversation after his victory in the US presidential election. “I didn’t hear anything that goes against our position,” he added.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday, Trump said, “We’re going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It’s got to stop.”
Also in the interview, Zelenskyy asserted that Ukraine has to do everything to ensure that the war ends next year through diplomatic means.
He emphasized that this is an important aspect and added that Ukrainians should remember who they are fighting.
“We have to understand what the Russians want. You are at war with a state that does not value its people, that has a lot of equipment, that does not care how many people die.”
Donald Trump
So far, there have been no meaningful discussions between Russia and Ukraine.
However, the prospect of a Trump presidency has raised questions about the future of the conflict.
The Republican leader has repeatedly stated that he would bring a swift end to the war– sparking fears that he would do so by stopping aid to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy Sheds Light On Ukraine’s Missile Development
Moreover, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted his country’s military and advancement in weapon production.
He stated that the Ukrainian army is now one of the most powerful in the world. The troops have received various types of weapons from partners.
Zelenskyy pointed out that changes in the private and public sectors over nearly three years have led to the Ukrainian Armed Forces becoming the most technologically advanced in Europe.
The Ukrainian President expressed belief that while Ukraine has not yet achieved significant results in drone production and electronic warfare systems, progress is being made.
“We have developed four types of missiles, and tests are currently underway. Next, we are focusing on naval drones, which have destroyed a large part of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.”
Volodymyr Zelensky
Zelenskyy added that the 2025 budget includes 775 billion hryvnias for the production of Ukrainian drones. Additionally, there is guaranteed funding from international partners.
During the war, Ukraine has increased the production of drones, electronic warfare systems, and other weaponry.
Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine has developed the Palianytsia drone-missile and domestically produced ballistic missiles.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine has surpassed the milestone of producing 100 missiles domestically.
Furthermore, Ukraine is cooperating with partners on weapon production. The defense consortium Rheinmetall is building four factories in Ukraine, as well as workshops for servicing equipment.
Ukraine has also reached an agreement with an Estonian company to test air defense missiles designed to destroy drones.
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