Zelenskyj held an informal press conference with journalists in the capital Kiev, where he reasoned about the Ukrainian stance ahead of yet another war winter.
The Ukrainian president said during the meeting, which was held on Monday, that possible peace talks with Russia "depend on" who wins the American presidential election.
I believe that they (the Kremlin) will closely follow the US stance (after the election).
He expressed concerns that Germany may oppose Ukrainian membership in the military organization NATO. He described the German hesitation as "a fact" and said that a green light from the USA is likely the only thing that would convince Berlin, according to news agencies referring to the conversation.
A NATO invitation is an important part of Zelenskyj's so-called victory plan in the war against Russia.
In the meeting with journalists in Kiev, the Ukrainian president also emphasized that he does not "ask the West for nuclear weapons" to defend his country against Russia.
