Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine needs the United States to guarantee peace, in the wake of his row with Donald Trump.

At a press conference on Sunday night, the Ukrainian president said “some sort of presence” of the US was “necessary”, whether it be intelligence support or planes.

He said he had “no right to be depressed” following his humiliation in the Oval Office on Friday.

He also said he was willing to step down from his role as president – but only in exchange for Ukrainian membership of Nato.

The Telegraph was invited to the press conference of a dozen journalists just before the Ukrainian president flew back to Kyiv on Sunday night, after European leaders met in London to discuss ways they could provide security guarantees.

Mr Zelensky said that would not be enough, and that he hoped Washington would step up.

“Some sort of presence of the United States is necessary,” he said. “We can talk about forms: intelligence, sea, air.

“I think our relationship will continue. We are grateful… We see the US as a strategic partner.”

In a nightly address early on Monday, Mr Zelensky promised more diplomatic efforts to be united with Washington.

“There will be diplomacy for the sake of peace and for the sake of us all being together - Ukraine, all of Europe and definitely, definitely America,” he said.

“Of course, we are aware of the importance of America, and we are grateful for all the support we have received from the United States of America. There has not been a day when we have not felt this gratitude.”

At the intimate press conference on Sunday night, Mr Zelensky was asked about his meeting in the White House last week, where he was involved in a shouting match with the US president.