Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed confidence that the war with Russia would “end sooner” under the leadership of Donald Trump, following his victory in the U.S. presidential election. Speaking with Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, Zelensky described his phone conversation with Trump as “constructive” but refrained from sharing details about any demands Trump may have made regarding potential negotiations with Russia. He emphasized that nothing Trump said contradicted Ukraine’s stance.
Trump has consistently prioritized ending the war, citing what he views as an unsustainable burden on U.S. resources. Zelensky noted, “The policies of the new team leading the White House make it certain that the war will end sooner. This is their approach and their promise to their citizens.” He added that Ukraine must strive for a diplomatic resolution to bring the conflict to a close by next year.
The battlefield situation remains challenging, with Russian forces advancing in some areas, Zelensky acknowledged. He also noted that U.S. law prevents him from meeting Trump until after his January inauguration.
Zelensky and Trump have had a complicated history. Trump was impeached in 2019 over allegations that he pressured Zelensky to investigate the Biden family. Despite past tensions, Trump has insisted that he shares a “very good relationship” with the Ukrainian leader. During their meeting in New York in September, Trump remarked that he had “learned a lot” and pledged to resolve the war “very quickly,” though he has yet to outline specific plans.
Critics, particularly Trump’s Democratic opponents, accuse him of being overly sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin and warn that his approach could compromise Ukraine’s security and endanger European stability. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz offered a different perspective. After speaking with Trump post-election, Scholz described the incoming U.S. president’s position on the war as “more nuanced” than commonly perceived. In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Scholz called their discussion “detailed and unexpectedly positive.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to provide substantial military aid to Ukraine. Earlier this year, the U.S. House approved a $61 billion aid package, contributing to the $55.5 billion in weapons and equipment supplied since the war began in February 2022, according to Germany's Kiel Institute for the World Economy. The U.S. remains Ukraine’s largest arms supplier.