During a conversation with the Ukrainian president, Friedman expressed his hope that on January 25, Zelensky, Trump, and the illegitimate Russian president Vladimir Putin would sit down for negotiations to agree on a ceasefire and strong security guarantees, ultimately signing a treaty.
"I think on January 25 or another day […] we first sit down with Trump. We need to reach an agreement on how we can stop the war and Putin. It’s important for us to talk with him," Zelensky told Friedman. "Secondly, it is crucial for us that Europe, which is very important to us because we are part of Europe—not just geographically, but geopolitically and within the European Union—has a voice as well."
According to the president, Europe "will be watching" Ukraine and Trump.
"I currently see that when we discuss something with Trump, whether we met or just had a call, all the European leaders always ask, well, how is it going? This, by the way, highlights the influence of Donald Trump, which wasn’t the case with previous American presidents. I speak from my own experience. It also instills, you know, faith, faith that he can stop this war," Zelensky emphasized.
He added that Europe will support Ukraine's position because "they understand that Ukraine has the full right for its voice to be the loudest," given that the war is taking place on its territory.
"And we will talk with Trump, and then, if, and I am confident that he can offer strong security guarantees, together with Europe, and after that, there may be a conversation with the Russians. And only in that way, not just sitting down with the three of us right away," Zelensky concluded.