At the White House, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky underscored that ending Russia’s war against Ukraine will require both a strong national defense and reliable international security guarantees.
“In fact, two components are needed: a powerful Ukrainian army. (…) The second, which we will discuss with our partners, depends on major countries – the United States and our other friends,” Zelensky said during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump, for his part, acknowledged Ukraine’s need for firm assurances from allies, saying the country requires guarantees “similar to NATO.”
He added:
“In another room, the most powerful people in Europe are waiting for us. They want to provide protection, and it is very important to reach an agreement with them on this.”
The talks also touched on Ukraine’s democratic future. Zelensky declared that he is prepared to organize elections once the war has concluded.
When asked directly about the possibility of postwar elections, the Ukrainian leader responded: “Of course.” At the same time, he cautioned that security conditions would have to allow for a fair vote.
“We must take circumstances into consideration, we must work with parliament, because during wartime we cannot hold elections,” he explained. “We need to achieve a ceasefire both on land and in the sky, and ensure that people have the opportunity to hold democratic and open elections.”
