Zelensky as played down concerns over comments by Trump that he understood why Russia does not want Ukraine to join the NATO defense alliance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism in an interview published Sunday that "strong" incoming US president Donald Trump will be able to force Russia into peace talks and end the war in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade walks at a position with an anti-drone rifle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine December 3,

The Ukrainian president argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russia’s decision to launch the full-scale invasion.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the statement made by newly elected US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. He believes it is too early to draw conclusions, according to his statement during a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Donald Trump's statement, in which he expressed he "could understand the feelings" of Russia and Putin regarding the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. As reported by Interfax-Ukraine,