Asked by host Brian Kilmeade whether Kyiv would consider a freeze as of the present moment, regardless of what started the conflict, Zelensky answered: "Yes."
He said a freeze is "a real way to end the war." Zelensky noted the sides could call it a truce or, in the words of US President Donald Trump, a cessation of the killing. He described the formula as: "Freeze and stop. This is the minimum we want from Russia today."
Kilmeade also asked whether Zelensky would agree to a deal under which Kyiv would retain control of "75% or more" of Ukraine's territory. According to the interview excerpt published by Fox News, the Ukrainian president answered that question in the affirmative.
Zelensky named as the next step an appeal to the United States and European partners for guarantees that Russian aggression will not resume. After that, he said, the country will have to be rebuilt. "Nine and a half million of our citizens have lost their homes and are scattered around the world," he said. "They will return and will rebuild the country."
The statements came amid criticism from Trump. The US president had said Zelensky is "not the person the United States should be dealing with," because he "does not want to make a deal" with Russia to end the war. According to Trump, a peace agreement could most likely be reached, but without Zelensky.
On October 10, Trump said he would like to see a new person as Ukraine's president. "They need a new leader who can make a deal," he said.