Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated confidence that the ongoing war with Russia will “end sooner” with Donald Trump as U.S. president, following a recent phone conversation between the two.
Zelensky characterized their exchange as “constructive,” although he did not specify if Trump made any demands regarding potential negotiations with Russia. He mentioned he had not heard anything from Trump that contradicted Ukraine’s position.
Trump has consistently stated that his priority is to end the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and he has criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine as a drain on resources. Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
The United States has been the largest supplier of arms to Ukraine, committing nearly $55.5 billion in weapons and equipment since the conflict began, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. However, support for arming Ukraine appears to have diminished domestically, particularly among Republican voters.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed he could resolve the conflict “in a day,” although he has not disclosed how he would achieve this. Zelensky remarked, “It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House,” emphasizing the urgency to conclude the conflict through diplomatic means as Russian forces continue to advance.
Despite worries about Trump potentially reducing aid to Ukraine, some are optimistic about his approach, believing it may yield better results than the current trajectory, which has resulted in significant casualties with little territory gained.
The front lines have largely stagnated, with Russian forces entrenched in the east and southeast. Recent reports indicate that Russian troops have made incremental advances along the eastern front, particularly near the northeastern city of Kupyansk and Vuhledar in the southeast.
Ukrainian forces attempted to counter these advances with an offensive into Russia’s Kursk region over the summer, marking the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II. Though its success remains uncertain, Zelensky stated the operation aimed to divert Russian troops from the front lines.
While renewed discussions about a diplomatic resolution emerge amid growing fatigue over the war, Zelensky has firmly refused to cede any Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014.
Despite their tumultuous past, Trump and Zelensky have maintained a relationship, with Trump claiming he has learned a lot from their interactions. However, Trump’s critics accuse him of being overly accommodating to Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that his approach could compromise Ukraine’s interests and destabilize Europe.
In related developments, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Trump following the U.S. election, noted that the incoming president appears to have a “more nuanced” stance on the war. Scholz faced criticism from Zelensky over his own recent call with Putin, which Zelensky argued undermined efforts to isolate the Russian president.
Credit: BBC News
