Ukraine: Zelenskyy wants 'strong' Trump 'on our side'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready for talks with US President-elect Donald Trump "any time" during his annual news conference.

Trump told a French magazine earlier this month that ending the war in Ukraine would be his main foreign policy when he takes office in January 2025.

"If we meet with Mr. Trump, we will have things to discuss," Putin said, without elaborating, during the tightly choreographed event that lasted nearly five hours.

Putin said Russia also is open for compromise in potential peace talks on Ukraine. 

"Politics is the art of compromise," he said. "We have always said that we are ready for both talks and compromises."

At the same time, Putin added that the talks should be based on "the situation on the ground" referring to some of the conditions he previously laid out.

Putin has previously demanded that Ukraine renounce its bid to join NATO and recognize Russia's gains. Kyiv and the West have rejected those demands. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President-elect Donald Trump discussed the war in Ukraine in a phone call late Thursday.

The two agreed "that the Russian war against Ukraine has been going on for far too long and that it is important to get on the path to a fair, just and sustainable peace as soon as possible," according to German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

Scholz joined the call from Brussels, where he was attending a summit of EU leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It was the chancellor's second conversation with Trump since the Republican's election victory last month. Trump is set to be inaugurated on January 20.

In the phone call, Scholz reiterated that he would continue to support Kyiv against Russia for as long as necessary, Hebestreit said.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton says he's "very worried about the future in Ukraine" based on comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump before and since his election win last month. 

"I think what motivates Trump primarily at the moment is he wants this conflict behind him," Bolton said in an interview with DW's Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl.

"He wants it over, which implies that he doesn't particularly care on what terms it ends, and I think that's bad news for Ukraine."

Bolton — a former US ambassador to the UN and National Security Advisor under Trump from 2018 to 2019 — said the incoming president would likely be focused on domestic issues at the start of his term, such as his plans to expel illegal migrants from the US, rather than the war in Ukraine.

But at the same time, Bolton said the fact Trump has already named a special envoy for Ukraine negotiations is a sign he expects things to move quickly.

"Of course, it's in [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's interest to get to the negotiating table if that then freezes the front lines and that becomes the new Ukrainian-Russian border," Bolton said. 

"I think Putin knows how to play with Trump. I think he knows how to flatter him."

"And I'm worried if the US departs from the strategy that's been pursued, which hasn't been effective, by the way ... but if it indicates weakened support for Ukraine, then Europe won't be far behind. And that's just bad news for Ukraine."

Bolton said the only development that would guarantee Ukraine's security was NATO membership.

"And I don't see that as a prospect. The real question of NATO membership is whether Trump keeps the US in or pulls us out," he said, positing that Trump viewed the military alliance as something the US pays for but gets little benefit from.

"'So why are we in this alliance?' That's what he thinks. And it's not not a great leap of faith to say: 'If that's what you think, why don't you get out?' And that's why I'm so worried."

Ukraine's president says he wants to see security guarantees from European countries to protect Ukraine after the war with Russia ends.

Speaking in Brussels, Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said support from the United States under incoming President Donald Trump would be essential.

"I believe that the European guarantees won't be sufficient for Ukraine," he said after talks with EU leaders.

"It is impossible to discuss this only with European leaders, because for us, the real guarantees in any case — today or in the future — are NATO," he said.

"On the way to NATO, we want security guarantees while we are not in NATO. And we can discuss such guarantees separately with both the US and Europe."

Zelenskyy said he supported an initiative floated earlier by France that would see Western troops deployed to Ukraine to keep the peace in the event of a future ceasefire.

But he stressed there were many details to be fleshed out, such as how big the force would be, and how they would respond if Russia attacks.

Instead, he said, becoming a NATO member would be "the best security guarantee for Ukraine."

"We would like to end the war, we would like to have peace. But we should be assured of the security guarantees, which will help protect us tomorrow."

Putin in Moscow on Thursday was almost Zelenskyy's mirror image, saying several things the Ukrainian leader did in Brussels, but in reverse. 

He was ready for peace talks but the other side didn't seem to be, Putin claimed. A full peace deal would be acceptable, but not a truce, and only with "security guarantees" for Moscow. 

Putin also said he would not negotiate with his Ukrainian counterpart, on the basis that his term in office had expired in May. Under martial law amid Russia's invasion, elections in Ukraine are postponed indefinitely.

He also proposed a 21st- century "duel" in which Ukraine would try to intercept a new Russian hypersonic missile recently used against the country. 

This last challenge prompted Zelenskyy in Brussels to ask whether this was the behavior of a "sane" man. 

Read our full roundup of the Russian president's end-of-year state TV question-and-answer session here.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told journalists in Brussels he hopes to have US President-elect Donald Trump on his side in dealing with Russia.

"Welcome Donald! What can I say?" Zelenskyy said, when asked how he was feeling about Trump's upcoming inauguration.

"I think that President Trump is a strong man and I want very much to have him on our side."

"I count on [having] the time to speak, to think, to listen and to hear his view and to show our view," Zelenskyy said. "I hope that he will understand me because I think that we all, it doesn't matter, politicians, businessmen in the past, we are just people anyway and we have, I think, the same emotions and the same values."

Trump has repeatedly said he would swiftly end Russia's war in Ukraine, but has not made clear how he would do this.

At the same time, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "crazy."

"Really, I think he also thinks that he's crazy. He loves to kill, that's very dangerous for everybody," the Ukrainian leader said. "And I want very much for Trump to help us and finish this war."

"That's why I think we need to have a real plan, a strong position, and I very much count that we will," he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged NATO allies to keep up their support for Ukraine after talks with Zelenskyy in Brussels amid an EU summit.

"It must be clear that we are prepared to provide support for as long as it is needed," Scholz said.

The call came after European NATO leaders met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels on Wednesday night. They discussed how to boost Ukraine's position at a time when Russia is making gains on the battlefield and as rumors about possible peace talks in early 2025 are swirling.

The German chancellor said he had asked the gathering in Brussels to consider further help with providing air defense, artillery and ammunition.

He added that Germany would "continue to be the biggest supporter of Ukraine in Europe."

Scholz also voiced optimism that cooperation between Ukraine's European allies and the US would still be possible under Trump.

The chancellor said that "the principle is always: no decisions over Ukrainians' heads."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a new appeal to his allies in Europe to continue to work toward lasting peace in Ukraine.

In a press conference following a European Council meeting in Brussels, Zelenskyy said living with a frozen conflict was not an option.

"People need to know what will happen afterward, what will happen tomorrow, otherwise you're just freezing the conflict," he said.

"We need coordinated work for lasting peace, not just the suspension of hostilities that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin seeks to buy time. We must push Moscow toward genuine, sustainable and guaranteed peace."

Zelenskyy accused Russia of not being "interested in peace."

Earlier, Putin had suggested during his yearly question-and-answer session with Russians on state TV it was Ukraine that was not ready to compromise in potential talks, while asserting that Moscow had "always" been ready for negotiations and compromises. 

"Soon, those Ukrainians who want to fight will run out, in my opinion, soon there will be no one left who wants to fight. We are ready, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises," he said.

President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian forces are advancing toward their main goals in Ukraine and gaining significant territory daily.

He was speaking at an annual national live televised question-and-answer session.

"I must say that the situation is changing dramatically... There is movement along the entire front line. Every day," he said, according to Reuters.

Military analysts say Russia is advancing in eastern Ukraine at the fastest pace since 2022.

"Our fighters are reclaiming territory by the square kilometer every day," Putin said.

"The fighting is difficult, so it is difficult and pointless to guess what lies ahead... [but] we are moving, as you said, toward solving our primary tasks, which we outlined at the beginning of the special military operation," he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday as the European Union aims to send a "clear signal" to US President-elect Donald Trump of their continued support for Ukraine.

The EU show of solidarity comes as the re-election of Trump raises questions about future aid to Ukraine. Trump has called for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, increasing pressure on Ukraine as it faces mounting challenges on the eastern front.

On Monday, he said Zelenskyy should be ready to reach a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At the summit, hosted by European Council President Antonio Costa, EU leaders are expected to promise additional military aid, including air defense systems, ammunition, and training, while stressing that any peace initiative must involve Ukraine.

Draft EU conclusions underline that "Russia must not prevail," signaling to the US that European support for Ukraine remains steadfast.

One EU diplomat described the draft text as sending "a clear signal to the US."

Zelenskyy's meeting with the EU leaders comes a day after discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on boosting Ukraine’s military position ahead of potential peace negotiations with Russia.

The United Kingdom on Thursday announced a £225 million ($286 million, €272.85 million) military aid package to Ukraine for 2025, to bolster its defenses against Russia.

The package includes naval equipment, air defense systems, counter-drone warfare tools, and spare parts for previously supplied equipment.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary John Healey said in Kyiv that the UK's support for Ukraine was "ironclad" and Britain would always stand "shoulder to shoulder to ensure Putin cannot win".

"The brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit," Healey later said in a statement. "But they cannot go it alone."

In July, the newly elected Labour government pledged to allocate £3 billion annually in military aid to Ukraine until 2030-2031.

"With Putin resorting to sending as many as 2,000 Russian soldiers to their deaths on the battlefield each day, it is critical that Ukraine is supported with a supply of properly trained and equipped soldiers," the ministry of defense said in a statement on Thursday.

North Korea on Thursday defended its military ties with Russia, calling them "effective" in countering the United States and its allies.

On Monday, the US and nine other countries, as well as the European Union (EU) released a joint statement condemning North Korea's growing involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine.

Pyongyang fired back at the "reckless provocation" labeling it as "distorting and slandering the essence of the normal cooperative relations" between North Korea and Russia.

In its statement North Korea's foreign ministry accused Washington and its allies of prolonging the Ukraine war and destabilizing global security with "hegemonic and adventuristic policies."

North Korea called the response by "hostile forces" an indication that the cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow was effectively "deterring the US and the West's ill-intended extension of influence".

The alliance between the two nations has deepened since the 2022 invasion, reflected in a June defense pact that took effect recently.

Neither Russia nor North Korea has officially confirmed troop involvement.

At least 100 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have been killed, with nearly 1,000 injured in fighting in Ukraine in the Kursk region, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun shared the figures after a closed-door briefing, attributing the high casualties to the troops' inexperience with drones and unfamiliar terrain.

"In December, they (North Korean troops) engaged in actual combat, during which at least 100 fatalities occurred," Lee said after the briefing. "The National Intelligence Service also reported that the number of injured is expected to reach nearly 1,000."

North Korea has reportedly sent over 10,000 soldiers and significant artillery supplies to aid Russia's war effort against Ukraine.

Despite the reported losses, intelligence suggests North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is training additional forces for deployment. Experts say Kim is keen to acquire advanced technology from Russia and gain battle experience for his troops.

On Thursday, North Korea called its military alliance with Russia "very effective" in deterring the United States and its allies, while condemning a recent statement from Washington and its partners criticizing the ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Neither Russia nor North Korea has officially confirmed troop involvement.

ss/lo (AP, AFP, Reuters)