Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the war with Russia will "end sooner" if Donald Trump becomes the next U.S. President. Zelensky shared that he had a "constructive" phone call with Trump following his victory in the U.S. presidential election.
Zelensky did not mention any specific demands from Trump about talks with Russia, but he noted that Trump's comments did not conflict with Ukraine's stance.
Trump has consistently stated that his main goal is to end the war and stop what he calls a drain on U.S. resources due to military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky told the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, “It is clear that the war will end sooner with the policies of the new administration. This is their promise to the American people.” He also emphasised the need for Ukraine to work towards ending the war by next year through diplomatic efforts.
On the battlefield, the situation remains challenging, with Russian forces making advances. Zelensky pointed out that, under U.S. law, he can only meet with Trump after the January inauguration.
The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has had its ups and downs. Trump was impeached in 2019 over allegations that he pressured Zelensky to investigate the Biden family.
Despite their rocky history, Trump has maintained that he had a good relationship with Zelensky. When they met in New York in September, Trump claimed he "learned a lot" and expressed confidence that he could "resolve the war very quickly."
So far, Trump has not outlined how he plans to bring an end to the conflict. His critics in the Democratic Party argue that his friendly stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to a settlement that favours Russia, potentially threatening European security.
However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Trump after his election win, suggested that Trump's views on the war are more complex than many think. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Scholz described his call with Trump as “a surprisingly detailed and positive discussion.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives approved $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine to support its defense against Russia.
The U.S. remains Ukraine's largest weapons supplier, having delivered or committed $55.5 billion worth of arms between February 2022 and June 2024, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
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