Zelenskiy to BBC: We must work with the United States even if Trump wins

(Patria) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy admitted in an interview published on Thursday that the victory of Donald Trump in the American elections in November would be difficult for his country at war with Russia, but Ukrainians are ready, Reuters reported.

Trump's choice of Senator J. D. Vance as his vice president has highlighted how Washington's stance on Ukraine could change if he wins the election. Vance said in an interview: "I don't care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other."

Zelenskiy, speaking to the BBC while attending the European Political Community meeting in London, noted the comment but added: "Maybe he really doesn't care, but we have to work with the United States."

Trump's election, he told the BBC, would be "a difficult job, but we are hard workers".

Joe Biden's administration has provided weapons and supplies during the conflict, although the flow of aid has been halted for months due to disputes within the US Congress.

Trump said during his campaign that once elected, he would end the conflict even before taking office by reaching a deal at the negotiating table. He said there would be no conflict at all if he had been in power when Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

In other comments to the BBC, Zelenskiy said Ukraine is grateful for its partners' promises to deliver F-16 fighter jets, most likely this summer, although they have not yet arrived.

"Eighteen months have passed, and the planes have not reached us," he said. The planes, he said, are necessary to help Ukrainians resist Russian air dominance and "unblock the sky".