If President-elect Donald Trump pulls the U.S. from NATO, Vladimir Putin could "destroy Europe," Volodymyr Zelensky has warned.
In an interview with the podcaster Lex Fridman, the Ukrainian president expressed optimism that Trump could make a difference in ending the war, but warned that without U.S. help, the Russian president "will destroy everything."
Newsweek has emailed the Trump transition team and the Kremlin for comment.
Why it matters
Trump was critical of NATO during his first presidential term, during which he had privately stated he wanted to pull the U.S. out of the alliance, according to the New York Times.
Zelensky said that Trump can make a difference to the war, but issued a warning at the importance of the U.S. role in deterring Putin's future aggression, for which the alliance is essential.
What to know
As anticipation continues over whether another Trump presidency can end the war quickly as the president-elect has so often pledged, Zelensky spoke about how security guarantees to end the war would only be effective if provided by the U.S.
Trump responded favorably to the possibility raised by French President Emmanuel Macron of Western peacekeepers being deployed in Ukraine to oversee an agreement that stops the fighting.
However, in the interview with Fridman, Zelensky said for an end to fighting, "Ukraine needs security guarantees."
Zelensky also emphasized the importance of U.S. involvement, otherwise, Putin "will return and fight only against Ukraine."
"He will destroy everything around. And if you say there is a risk that President Trump will withdraw from NATO, for example, this is a decision of the United States. I'm simply saying that if it does, Putin will destroy Europe," Zelensky added.
He also praised Trump's ability to get things done, saying: "I really count on him and I think that our people really count on him. He has enough power to pressure Putin not into wanting to stop it" and that the Russian leader is "afraid of Trump."
What people are saying
Zelensky told Lex Fridman that if Donald Trump withdraws the U.S. from NATO, "Putin will destroy Europe."
Donald Trump told NBC in December: "If they're paying their bills, and if I think they're treating us fairly, absolutely, I would stay with NATO."
What happens next
Trump told NBC in December NATO "takes advantage of the U.S." and has boasted about how in his first presidential term, he pushed more members to reach military spending of two percent of GDP, a figure he wants to go higher.
While it is unlikely he will push for the U.S. to exit the alliance, Trump has not publicly revealed his policy on Ukraine and his previous comments have raised questions over whether the U.S. will continue to be Kyiv's biggest military backer.
Ahead of his return to the Oval Office on January 20, speculation will continue over how Trump will square his criticism of NATO if it has to play a security guarantee role and end the war, which he has promised to do quickly.
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