Thu Jan 02 21:20:26 UTC 2025: ## Zelensky: Trump’s Unpredictability Could End Ukraine War
**KYIV, Ukraine** – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed cautious optimism Thursday, suggesting that President-elect Donald Trump’s unpredictable nature could be a key to resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. In a television interview, Zelensky stated that he hopes Trump’s unpredictability will be leveraged to pressure Russia into ending the nearly three-year war. While Trump has promised a swift resolution, claiming he could end the conflict within 24 hours, Kyiv remains skeptical, fearing potential concessions of territory.
Zelensky has actively sought to establish a relationship with the incoming Trump administration since the November election, amid concerns about potential reductions or cessation of vital US military aid. He also voiced support for a French peacekeeping mission in Ukraine to secure any future peace deal with Russia, but stressed that such a deployment must be a stepping stone towards Ukraine’s eventual membership in NATO.
The Ukrainian president acknowledged the strain on Ukraine’s military, stating that troops are exhausted from Russia’s continued offensive. An AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War indicates that Russia gained nearly 4,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory last year, highlighting the challenges faced by the Ukrainian army amidst manpower shortages and fatigue. Zelensky’s comments reflect the precarious situation in eastern Ukraine and the hopes pinned on the incoming US administration for a resolution to the conflict.
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