KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed confidence that the war with Russia will “end sooner” following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
His optimism comes after a phone conversation with the US president-elect, described by Zelensky as “constructive,” in which the two leaders discussed the ongoing conflict.
“It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens,” Zelensky said in an interview with Ukrainian outlet Suspilne.
He noted that he had not heard anything from Trump that contradicted Ukraine’s position but avoided detailing specific demands made during the conversation.
Trump’s Pledge and Republican Sentiment
Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the war “in a day,” though he has yet to articulate how he intends to achieve this.
During his election campaign, he emphasised his priority to halt what he termed the “drain” on U.S. resources caused by extensive military aid to Ukraine.
The U.S. has been Ukraine’s largest arms supplier, providing or committing $55.5 billion (£41.5 billion) worth of weapons and equipment between the start of the war in February 2022 and mid-2024, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Domestically, however, support for U.S. military aid to Ukraine has waned, particularly among Republican voters.
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $61 billion (£49 billion) military aid package, but Trump’s campaign rhetoric has capitalised on voter fatigue with the prolonged conflict.
Stalemate on the Front Lines
The battlefield remains largely stagnant, with Ukraine’s counter-offensive in 2023 falling short of its goal of reclaiming significant territory.
Russian forces hold entrenched positions in the eastern and south-eastern regions of Ukraine, including the Donbas. Incremental Russian advances have been reported, particularly near Kupyansk and Vuhledar, with limited offensives into the north-eastern Kharkiv region.
In a bid to divert Russian forces from the Ukrainian front lines, Zelensky launched a summer offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, the first occupation of Russian territory by Ukraine since World War II.
While this operation holds potential as a bargaining chip in future peace talks, its success in weakening Russian advances remains unclear.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid War Fatigue
With domestic and international fatigue over the prolonged conflict, Zelensky has emphasised the need for diplomacy, urging that the war must end through negotiations next year.
However, he continues to refuse any concession of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Zelensky’s position contrasts with critics of Trump’s foreign policy, who argue that his approach may lead to concessions benefiting Russia.
Trump’s opponents have accused him of being too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a charge Trump denies.
The Kremlin this week denied reports of a call between Putin and Trump following the U.S. election, which allegedly included warnings from Trump against further escalation.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Trump after the election, described the president-elect’s stance on the war as “more nuanced” than commonly assumed.
Scholz has faced criticism from Zelensky for his own phone call with Putin last Friday, which Zelensky said undermined efforts to isolate the Russian leader.
Uncertain Path to Peace
Trump and Zelensky’s relationship has been marked by tension, including Trump’s 2019 impeachment over allegations that he pressured Zelensky to investigate then-candidate Joe Biden’s family.
Despite these past conflicts, Trump has insisted he had a positive relationship with Zelensky and has reiterated his intention to “resolve the war very quickly.”
What such a resolution may entail remains unclear, as analysts speculate on the potential for territorial compromises or shifts in international military aid.
For Zelensky, balancing Ukraine’s sovereignty with an end to the war will remain a delicate challenge, as the conflict’s toll continues to mount both on the battlefield and in global geopolitics.
