Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed high regard for Donald Trump on Wednesday, viewing the Republican candidate’s apparent victory positively.
Soon after Trump declared victory, Zelenskyy released a message in which he voiced anticipation for “an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership.”
The swift timing of this statement seemed to reflect a desire to quickly establish rapport with the incoming U.S. administration, especially given the ongoing uncertainty about how a Trump presidency would approach the ongoing war.
In recent months, Ukraine has experienced a surge in territorial losses, as Russian forces, equipped with more resources and troops, have made significant progress in eastern regions where some of the most intense fighting has taken place since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Trump has been vocal about his concerns regarding the extent of U.S. support for Ukraine and pledged to bring an end to the conflict before assuming office in January, although he has not elaborated on his strategy.
Under the current administration of Democrat President Joe Biden, the U.S. has committed tens of billions of dollars in military and financial assistance. However, Ukrainian leaders have voiced frustration over restrictions on using Western-supplied weapons for strikes deep within Russian territory.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs,” Zelenskyy wrote in his statement.
“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.”
Ukrainian political expert Volodymyr Fesenko commented that Trump would likely push for quick negotiations to end the war.
“He wants a quick result, and there is a risk that certain concessions could be made to Russia,” Fesenko told Reuters.
“I don’t think that Trump would agree to peace only on Russia’s terms, as this would look like a defeat for the U.S., and his advisers understand this.”
Since the war began, peace talks have stalled after a few initial attempts. Russia currently controls around 20% of Ukrainian territory and has insisted that the war cannot end until its claimed annexations are acknowledged. Ukraine, however, remains resolute in its demand for the full return of its territories.
Fesenko also suggested that U.S. assistance under Trump might shift from outright grants to a form resembling loans.
Yaroslav Zheleznyak, an opposition lawmaker from the Holos party, remarked that the period before Trump’s official inauguration could present “a window of opportunity” for Biden to pursue “bold steps.”
Ukrainian officials and lawmakers have consistently sought authorization from Washington to utilize U.S. and other Western-supplied weapons against Russian military targets, aiming to disrupt Russia’s missile and drone strikes as well as its broader offensive maneuvers.
As election results were reported on Wednesday morning, Kyiv residents voiced interest in learning Trump’s plan for ending the war.
“I guess we are all waiting for just the only thing — just to stop the war and as Trump promised to stop the war in just one day, we are all waiting for it,” said Oleksii Iarokha, 41.
“We are waiting for this straight move: stop the war in just one day. It could be today, tomorrow, we can wait till Friday. You are the president, please do it, Mr. Trump.”
{Matzav.com}