Zelensky’s Optimism for a Faster End to the War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the war between Russia and Ukraine could end sooner if Donald Trump becomes president of the United States.
In a radio interview with Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspine on Friday, Zelensky said, “I believe that the war will end,” but added that he couldn’t give an exact date. He stated that the conflict “will end faster with the new team taking over the White House.” Zelensky explained that he believes this because of the different approach and policies that the new administration is expected to take, which might speed up negotiations and bring about a quicker resolution to the fighting.
The Role of the U.S. Administration
Zelensky believes that the new U.S. administration’s approach could help end the war sooner by focusing more directly on bringing both sides to the negotiating table. He said, “This is their approach, their promise to their people, and it is very important to them.” He also emphasized that having strong support from the United States would be crucial in pushing Russia to consider a peaceful solution. Zelensky thinks that the new U.S. leadership could play a key role in bringing the war to an end, as they have already promised to focus on resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump’s Perspective on the War
Donald Trump, who recently won a second term as president, has said many times that the war between Russia and Ukraine would not have started if he had been president. He believes that his policies and approach to foreign relations would have discouraged Russia from launching an invasion in the first place. In July, Trump also said he could end the war in one day, suggesting that he has a plan that could quickly bring both sides to an agreement. He claimed that his strong negotiation skills and his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin would help him find a solution quickly.
Questions About U.S. Support for Ukraine
During his campaign, President-elect Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, questioned the United States’ ongoing support for Ukraine. They argued that it was important to reconsider the level of involvement and financial support that the U.S. was providing. Trump and Vance suggested that a more focused strategy was needed to bring the war to an end rather than just continuing with the existing support.
The war started in February 2022 when Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, and it has been going on for more than two and a half years. The conflict has caused immense suffering for the people of Ukraine, with many casualties and significant destruction of infrastructure, and both sides have struggled to find a path to peace.
Hope for Renewed Efforts
Zelensky hopes that with the new U.S. leadership, there will be a renewed effort to bring the war to a close. He believes that a stronger partnership with the United States could help Ukraine gain more leverage in negotiations with Russia. At the same time, Zelensky acknowledged that the situation remains complicated, and ending the war will require careful diplomacy, strong alliances, and a commitment from all parties involved to work towards peace.
The people of Ukraine continue to hope for an end to the conflict, and Zelensky remains committed to doing everything he can to achieve that goal, especially with the potential support of the new U.S. administration.