If US exits Nato, Putin will destroy Europe, warns Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that security guarantees for Kyiv would only be effective if provided by the US and cautioned that a US withdrawal from Nato would lead to escalated aggression from the Kremlin towards Europe.

In an interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman published on Sunday, Zelenskyy - who expressed hope to meet US President-elect Donald Trump after his inauguration - said that it was up to the US to determine its future but if Washington under Trump exits the military alliance Nato, it would weaken the grouping and embolden Putin in Europe.

“I’m simply saying that if it does (quit the alliance), Putin will destroy Europe,” Zelenskyy was quoted as saying.

Zelenskyy said he needs to sit down with President-elect Trump to chart a course of action to halt the Kremlin.

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In February, it would be three years since Russia invaded Ukraine and the return of Donald Trump to the White House on January 20 has raised hopes for a ceasefire deal but Ukraine is cautioned that it might come at a heavy price.

Recognising that European allies would struggle militarily to counter Russia, Zelenskyy said, “Without the United States, security guarantees are not possible. These are the guarantees needed to prevent Russian aggression.”

In the podcast, Zelenskyy remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no interest in genuine negotiations to end the conflict, insisting that the Kremlin must be pressured into agreeing to a truce.

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With inputs from agencies