US GREEN LIGHT ON NATO INVITATION WILL SWAY BERLIN'

Ukraine's president is hoping allies will take a more positive stance on his so-called victory plan after the US election, but concedes that its key demand -- an invitation to join NATO -- is not welcome by some key Western partners, in particular Germany.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia was also likely looking at the postelection scenario in the US to assess the possibility of cease-fire talks with Ukraine. He assessed that if partial cease-fire deals could be reached over attacks on energy infrastructure and Black Sea shipping routes, it would signal the end of the "hot phase" of the war.

Zelenskyy spoke to journalists on Monday and his comments were embargoed until Tuesday.