Zelensky as played down concerns over comments by Trump that he understood why Russia does not want Ukraine to join the NATO defense alliance.

The Ukrainian president argued that the absence of NATO membership and concrete security guarantees contributed to Russia’s decision to launch the full-scale invasion.

"Remember, Ukraine was told that Patriot systems can only be and are in NATO countries? Well, either we have been in NATO for a long time, or we should not draw any conclusions. This is what happened with Patriot,

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade walks at a position with an anti-drone rifle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine December 3,

President-elect Donald Trump, on Jan. 7, blamed the outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden for Russia's all-out war against Ukraine. Trump said Biden's support of Ukraine's NATO membership had led to Russia's war against the country.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the statement made by newly elected US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. He believes it is too early to draw conclusions, according to his statement during a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.

President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Donald Trump's statement, in which he expressed he "could understand the feelings" of Russia and Putin regarding the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO. As reported by Interfax-Ukraine,