Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed confidence that the ongoing war with Russia will end “sooner” following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
In an interview with the Ukrainian outlet Suspilne, Zelensky described a “constructive exchange” with Trump during a phone call after his election win. While he did not reveal specific demands made by the president-elect, Zelensky stated that Trump’s remarks aligned with Ukraine’s position.
“It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens,” Zelensky said. He emphasised Ukraine’s goal to end the war diplomatically by next year, even as Russian forces make advances.
Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to end the war “in a day,” has consistently criticised the US military aid to Ukraine, calling it a drain on American resources. The US House of Representatives recently approved a $61 billion military aid package, bringing the total US commitments since the war began in February 2022 to $55.5 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
However, domestic support for arming Ukraine has diminished, especially among Republican voters who backed Trump’s “America First” stance. Critics fear his approach could prioritise halting US military aid over ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The war’s front lines have stagnated after Ukraine’s 2023 counter-offensive failed to achieve significant territorial gains. Russian forces maintain entrenched positions in the east and south-east, with intensified fighting in areas like Kupyansk and Vuhledar.
In response to Russian advances, Ukrainian forces launched a break-out operation into Russia’s Kursk region over the summer. Zelensky described the offensive as a diversionary tactic to alleviate pressure on Ukrainian front lines, though its effectiveness remains unclear. Analysts suggest that territory gained in Kursk could serve as leverage in future peace talks.
Despite Zelensky’s emphasis on diplomacy, he has refused to cede any Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has mobilised hundreds of thousands of conscripts to reinforce his military, countering Ukraine’s reliance on advanced Western weaponry.
While Zelensky voiced optimism about Trump’s potential to end the conflict, questions remain over his strategy. Trump’s critics accuse him of being overly conciliatory toward Putin, a claim Trump denies, asserting he had a “very good relationship” with Zelensky.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who recently spoke with both Trump and Putin, described the incoming US president’s stance as “more nuanced” than expected. However, Scholz faced criticism from Zelensky for speaking with Putin for the first time in nearly two years, a move the Ukrainian leader said undermined efforts to isolate Russia.
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