Russian President Vladimir Putin could destroy Europe if the United States withdraws from Western military alliances, Ukrainian President Donald Trump has said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could destroy Europe if US President-elect Donald Trump withdraws the United States from the Western military alliance NATO.
Zelensky gave the warning in an interview with US podcaster Lex Friedman, Newsweek reported.
Zelensky expressed hope that Trump might do something different to end the war in Ukraine. But he warned that Putin would “destroy everything” without US help.
Trump criticized NATO during his first presidency. At the time, he personally stated his intention to withdraw the United States from NATO. Trump is set to seek a second term in office on January 20.
Before that, Zelensky warned about the danger of the United States leaving NATO. Zelensky made it clear that the United States’ role in deterring Putin from future aggression is important and that it is necessary for them to be in the NATO alliance.
In the interview, Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine needs security guarantees to stop a war with Russia. He said it was important for Ukraine to have a U.S. role, otherwise Putin would come back and fight only against Ukraine.
“He’s going to destroy everything around him. And if you say there’s a risk that President Trump will pull the United States out of NATO. This decision is a matter for the United States. And if that happens, I would say Putin will destroy Europe,” Zelensky said.
Trump told NBC News in December, “If the NATO countries pay their bills, and I think they’re treating us fairly, then I’ll be with NATO.” ”
Trump has long been unhappy with the Western military alliance NATO. In a controversial remark last year, he said he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that do not meet its financial obligations. His comments were strongly condemned.