Trump's unpredictability can help end war with Russia: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said that Donald Trump's strength and 'unpredictability' could help the country end war with Russia. He, however, added that the three-year conflict could not be put to an end in just a day, as claimed by the US President-elect several times.

"The hot' stage of the war can end quite quickly, if Trump is strong in his position," Zelenskyy said.

"I believe (Trump) is strong and unpredictable. I would very much like President Trump's unpredictability to be directed primarily toward the Russian Federation," he added.

As the war approaches its fourth year next month, the question of when and how Europe's largest conflict since World War II might conclude has gained urgency.

The war's trajectory appears unfavorable for Ukraine, which faces a shortage of manpower on the front lines and relies heavily on continued support from its Western allies.

On Ukraine becoming a Nato member, Zelenskyy said, "But I raised an issue, saying we didn't hear what specific countries will join this initiative, and whether the US will be there."

"The deployment of European troops (to keep the peace in Ukraine) should not rule out Ukraine's future in Nato," he said.

The Ukrainian president is resolute in his goal for Ukraine to join Nato. While the alliance's 32 member nations have affirmed that Ukraine will eventually become a member, they have said that this will only happen once the war is over.
Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine and, despite significant losses in troops and equipment, took advantage of weaknesses in Ukraine's defenses last year to make slow but steady advances in the eastern regions.