Trump can be laborious work, however we’re laborious staff, Zelensky tells BBC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says working with Donald Trump if he’s re-elected as US president will probably be “laborious work, however we’re laborious staff”.

In an unique interview with the BBC in London, Mr Zelensky mentioned he’s keen to work with anybody who’s in energy within the US.

Simply days in the past, Trump introduced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his operating mate in November’s vote. The 39-year-old has up to now mentioned “he doesn’t care what occurs to Ukraine by hook or by crook”.

The nomination has renewed fears that US dedication to Ukraine might fall away if Trump is returned to the White Home.

“Possibly he actually doesn’t care, however we have now to work with the USA,” Mr Zelensky informed the BBC.

The Ukrainian chief is within the UK for a gathering of the European Political Group, the place he delivered a speech on Thursday afternoon.

He earlier met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has vowed to face with Ukraine for “so long as it takes” and has dedicated to spending £3bn on help for the nation.

He added that he hoped Mr Starmer’s time period in Downing Road would mark a “particular” period in British international coverage.

“I don’t assume Britain’s place would change,” Mr Zelensky informed the BBC. “However I would love for Prime Minister Starmer to change into particular – talking about worldwide politics, about defending world safety, concerning the struggle in Ukraine.”

He added that Ukraine “doesn’t simply want a brand new web page, we want energy to show this leaf”.

Ukraine’s troops have confronted a tricky winter and earlier this week it was confirmed that they’d withdrawn from the village of Krynky on the occupied jap financial institution of the Dnipro River.

Mr Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine has but to obtain fighter jets pledged to it by Western leaders, regardless of a promise that the nation would obtain F16s in the course of the summer time. He mentioned that planes are essential to assist the nation’s forces.

“It’s been 18 months and the planes haven’t reached us,” he mentioned, saying that he was grateful for what Ukraine has been given.

However he emphasised that new fighters are important to assist Ukrainians push again in opposition to Russia’s aerial dominance and “unblock the skies”.

Mr Zelensky has been Ukraine’s chief since 2019 and all through Russia’s full-scale invasion. Whereas elections had been due this 12 months, Ukraine’s structure guidelines out a poll in the course of the time of martial regulation.

The president informed the BBC that he does envisage a time when he would step down as president.

“However not till the struggle is over,” he mentioned.