Zelenskyy says Russia-Ukraine war could end 'sooner' under Trump administration
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hopeful the ongoing conflict with Russia will end sooner under United States President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking to Ukraine's Suspilne broadcaster, Zelenskyy said, "The war will end, but there is no exact date. Of course, with the policy of this team...the war will end sooner." He also spoke of a "constructive exchange" during a phone conversation with Trump after his election victory.
Trump's campaign and post-election stance on Ukraine conflict
Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump has criticized the massive financial aid given to Ukraine since the Russian invasion started in February 2022. He has vowed to end the conflict "in 24 hours," though he hasn't elaborated on how he would do that. After his election victory, Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, "We're going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It's got to stop."
German Chancellor Scholz shares insights on Trump's Ukraine stance
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also weighed in on Trump's position on the Ukraine conflict after speaking to the US President-elect over the phone. Scholz said their conversation was "a very detailed and good conversation" about Ukraine's situation. He said Trump gave "no indication" of wanting to make a deal without Ukraine, hinting at a more nuanced position than we often assume.
Ukraine's concerns and Russia's response to Trump's proposals
Despite these assurances, Ukraine fears that US support may shift under Trump. Fears of being pressured into territorial concessions to Russia have also been expressed. However, an unnamed Russian official has said that they would be willing to consider Trump's proposals for ending the conflict, possibly signaling a new direction in negotiations.
