Zelensky says he's sure the Russia-Ukraine war will end faster when Trump gets into office

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that he believes the ongoing war with Russia will end "faster" when President-elect Donald Trump gets into office.

During a radio interview with a Ukrainian public broadcaster, which aired on Saturday, Zelensky said that the war “will end faster with the policy of this team that will now lead the White House,” referring to the incoming Trump administration.

“This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them,” he added.

He acknowledged a difficult situation on the battlefield, in which Russia has been pressing its advantages in manpower and weaponry, according to CNN.

He added that for Ukraine's part, “We must do everything to ensure that the war ends next year through diplomatic means.”

In July of this year, Trump said he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day despite Russia’s United Nations ambassador saying otherwise. 

Zelensky was asked if Trump had demanded that Ukraine participate in negotiations with Russia, to which he replied: “We are an independent country … the rhetoric of ‘sit and listen’ does not work with us,” according to the New York Post. 

Following Trump's win last week, he had a call with Zelensky that was described as a "very good call."