Volodymyr Zelensky Friday says he will do all to end the war in Ukraine next year - and Donald Trump in the White House will make it happen 'faster'.
In an interview with Ukrainian radio, the country's president urged the US to maintain its position that the Kremlin had violated Ukraine's territorial integrity and international law - as Donald Trump prepares to return as US President in January.
Mr Zelensky said: 'We must do everything we can to ensure this war ends next year. We have to end it by diplomatic means.'
And he said the war 'will end faster with the policy of this team that will now lead the White House'.
Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in Ukraine upon his return to power, saying last year: 'I want them to stop dying. And I'll have that done - I'll have that done in 24 hours.'
As Russia continued to pepper Kyiv with drone attacks, Mr Zelensky also rounded on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for opening 'Pandora's box' with an unexpected call to Vladimir Putin last week.
The Ukraine leader said the first call between a major Western European leader and Moscow in more than two years risked undermining efforts to isolate the Russian president since the 2022 invasion.
Mr Zelensky said: 'Olaf's call has opened a Pandora's box. Now there may be other conversations, other calls... this is exactly what Putin has long wanted: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation.
'I don't think Putin wants peace at all. But that does not mean he doesn't want to sit down with world leaders... and it benefits him to sit down, talk, and not reach an agreement.'
The German chancellor's office said Mr Scholz condemned the war in the hour-long call to Moscow on Friday, and called for peace talks and a withdrawal of troops.
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