Photo: Donald Trump/Depositphotos
As the US presidential election approaches, Ukrainian officials are somewhat optimistic about the possibility of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. According to The Washington Post, despite the general consensus that a Trump victory would be a potential “catastrophe” for Kyiv, there is a belief in the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that a strong personal relationship between the two leaders can be built.
An anonymous Ukrainian official who worked during Trump’s previous presidency noted that Zelenskyy feels similarities between himself and Trump, both of whom came to power with atypical political backgrounds. Trump was a prominent businessman, while Zelenskyy was an actor and comedian, which Zelenskyy believes could facilitate fruitful interaction.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that if he wins, he will help Ukraine and Russia reach a peace agreement quickly, although he has not provided specifics in his promises. His political running mate, J.D. Vance, has floated the idea of a peace plan that would freeze the conflict on the existing front lines, which has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials.
In response to Trump’s remarks about a quick resolution of the conflict, Zelenskyy stressed in his interview with Scandinavian journalists that Ukraine seeks a peaceful resolution of the situation, but not at the expense of its own territorial or sovereign losses. “We should not pay for it. We are not the aggressors. Russia is the aggressor; they must pay,” – the Ukrainian leader stressed.
These dynamics highlight the complexity of international relations and the impact of US electoral politics on the global stage, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
