Zelenski is confident that with Trump in the White House there will be a quicker solution to the war with Russia
Although the Ukrainian president did not refer to the president-elect's proposals, he said he did not hear any that contravene Ukraine's position on the conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenski said he believes the war with Russia could be resolved more quickly under the incoming Donald Trump administration.
In an interview with Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, Zelenski said the Trump team's approach promises to accelerate the conflict resolution. Although he avoided mentioning whether Trump had raised specific demands on negotiations with Russia, the Ukrainian leader assured that he did not hear any proposals contradicting Ukraine's position on the conflict.
Trump has been a consistent critic of U.S. military support for Ukraine, questioning the continued allocation of resources to the conflict. During his campaign, the president-elect promised to end the war "in a day," although he has not disclosed details on how he plans to achieve this.
U.S. role in the conflict
Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the United States has played a key role in supplying Ukraine with weaponry. As of June 2024, Washington has committed about $55.5 billion in military aid, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. However, support for these shipments has weakened, especially among Republican voters.
Earlier this year, Congress approved a new $61 billion military aid package, a decision that has been the subject of debate within the United States, where there are concerns about prolonged spending on the war.
Frontline stalemate and diplomatic strategy
The Ukrainian offensive launched in 2023 failed to make the expected territorial gains, which has led to a stalemate on the front lines. Russian forces have maintained entrenched positions in eastern and southeastern Ukraine while fighting continues mainly in the Donbas region.
In response, Ukraine launched an offensive in Russia's Kursk region, marking the first time Ukrainian troops occupied Russian territory since World War II. According to Zelenski, this maneuver sought to divert Russian forces away from critical points of the conflict in Ukraine, although its impact on military dynamics remains uncertain.
Despite the military stalemate, Zelenski stressed the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to end the war. However, he made it clear that Ukraine will not cede territory, including Crimea, occupied by Russia since 2014.