F-16, Trump, and diplomacy with Russia: Key takeaways from Zelenskyy's interview with BBC

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently visiting the UK. He took part in the summit of the European Political Community and met with the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. He will also meet with King Charles III, other government officials, and heads of defense companies.

In an interview, Zelenskyy expressed hope that Starmer's tenure as prime minister would mark a special era in British foreign policy. According to the president, Britain's position on supporting Ukraine will not change.

“But I would like for Prime Minister Starmer to become special - speaking about international politics, about defending world security, about the war in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said.

He adds that Ukraine does not need just a new page, “we need power to turn this leaf.”

US election and Trump

Zelenskyy was asked about the upcoming US presidential election and replied that Ukraine was ready to cooperate with anyone in power in the United States.

Commenting on fears that support for Ukraine could decline if Donald Trump returns to the White House, the president said “Maybe he really doesn’t understand what goes on in Ukraine, so we have to work with the United States.”

According to him, cooperation with Trump will be “hard work, but we are hard workers.”

Delays in the delivery of F-16s

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stresses that Ukraine has not yet received F-16 fighter jets, which could have boosted its military efforts.

“It’s been 18 months and the planes have not reached us,” he said while thanking for the assistance already provided.

The president adds that the planes are needed to help Ukrainians reduce Russia's dominance in the air and “unblock the skies.”

Diplomacy with Russia

He called on the world to put pressure on Russia to persuade it to sit down at the negotiating table and consider ending the war.

“It doesn’t mean that all territories are won back by force. I think the power of diplomacy can help,” the president said.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia's weaker position on the battlefield would put Ukraine in a stronger position at the negotiating table.

“By putting pressure on Russia, I think it is possible to agree to a diplomatic settlement,” the president said.

Election in Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked about the presidential election in Ukraine, which was to take place this year. Under Ukrainian law, elections cannot be held during martial law.

The head of state said that he envisaged the time when he would resign as president.

“But not until the war is over,” he added.

Zelenskyy's visit to Britain

Yesterday, July 18, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the UK. He was met by Ukraine's new ambassador to the UK, former Armed Forces chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who recently took office.

During the visit, Zelenskyy attended the European Political Community summit and met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić

Zelenskyy also signed two more security agreements with Czechia and Slovenia during his visit.