Zelensky as played down concerns over comments by Trump that he understood why Russia does not want Ukraine to join the NATO defense alliance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism in an interview published Sunday that "strong" incoming US president Donald Trump will be able to force Russia into peace talks and end the war in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade walks at a position with an anti-drone rifle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine December 3,

President-elect Donald Trump, on Jan. 7, blamed the outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden for Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. Trump said Biden's support of Ukraine's NATO membership had led to Russia's war against the country.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the statement made by newly elected US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. He believes it is too early to draw conclusions, according to his statement during a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

"I could understand their [Russia's] feelings about that," U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said during a Jan. 7 press conference.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Donald Trump's statement in which Trump expressed he "could understand the feelings" of Russia and Putin regarding the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. As reported by Interfax-Ukraine,

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Donald Trump's statement, in which he expressed he "could understand the feelings" of Russia and Putin regarding the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. As reported by Interfax-Ukraine,