Zelensky spoke about possible alternatives to US support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this at a news conference on 23 February.

We are talking to Europe. Today, serious European countries are already thinking about the format for increasing their assistance in case of challenges," the president said.

Also, according to him, last year Ukraine provided itself with armaments by 40 per cent. Another 30 per cent was provided by European countries and another 30 per cent by the USA. At the same time, he repeatedly emphasised that Ukraine was interested in maintaining strategic relations with the United States. Therefore, work on a possible agreement on minerals and other contacts will continue. However, such a partnership, according to the president, should be mutually beneficial.

Asked whether the current demonstrative rapprochement between the United States and Russia could influence China's position and whether Ukraine could take advantage of it, Zelensky said he would welcome possible initiatives, but there have been no signals so far.

Journalists from Hong Kong also asked about China's possible involvement in peacemaking and Ukraine's reconstruction.

In order to rebuild Ukraine, it will be necessary to provide Ukraine with security guarantees. Ukrainian business and all countries that will give us security guarantees will be prioritised. I think it would be fair to all our partners - security guarantees for us and business opportunities for us. We have never asked China about weapons, we know the answer. But if China could play a role in this [security guarantees], we are ready to talk about it," Zelensky said.

Other important theses of the president during the press conference:

• Zelensky is ready to leave the presidency if it will bring peace or guarantee Ukraine's membership in NATO. At the same time, elections are possible only after the end of martial law. The main reservations are security and the impossibility of voting for the military, Ukrainians abroad and in the occupied territories.
• Zelensky noted that he prefers to have a dialogue with Trump and will not sign what "to pay 10 generations of Ukrainians". The main point of the rare earth agreement with the USA should be clear security guarantees for Ukraine.
• Turkish President Erdogan could be one of the continent's security guarantors. Ukraine and Turkey are the only European countries that can field a significant military contingent.