Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says the election of Donald J. Trump in the United States will likely hasten the end of the war in his country. The Ukranian leader’s remarks were published in an interview with the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (Suspilne) on Friday.
“The war will end, but there is no exact date,” Zelenesky states, admitting: “Certainly, with the policies of this team that will now lead the White House, the war will end faster. This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them.”
However, Zelensky did signal his government would remain somewhat defiant should Trump attempt to bring them to the table for peace talks with Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine “is an independent country” and that the “sit and listen” approach won’t work with his people.
On the 2024 campaign trail, President-elect Trump repeatedly stated the need for a cessation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia and a peace deal. For his part, Zelensky traveled to the U.S. in the closing days of the American presidential election and essentially campaigned on behalf of the Democratic Party’s nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Numerous Western leaders have attempted to pressure Trump into continuing U.S. financial and military support for Ukraine—despite the country’s deteriorating defense capabilities and concerning casualty rate. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is one of the loudest voices on this front.
Meanwhile, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Trump, has stated he believes the President-elect will stop the flow of weapons and money to Ukraine, explaining, “…the war will end, because it is obvious that Ukraine can not stand on its own feet.”
