Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes the war with Russia could end sooner under Donald Trump’s leadership. He stressed Ukraine’s commitment to achieving peace through diplomacy and the urgency of resolving the war, nearing its 1,000th day. Moreover, Trump’s upcoming policies and their impact on the war will be closely monitored as his administration takes office.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism that the war with Russia might end sooner if Donald Trump assumes office as the U.S. President. Zelensky shared his views during an interview with Ukrainian media, highlighting a constructive phone call he had with Trump after his electoral victory.
Zelensky stated, “The war will end faster with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House.” He emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to achieving peace through diplomacy and reiterated the urgency to end the conflict, now nearing its 1,000th day.
Trump, during his campaign, pledged to resolve the war swiftly but has not detailed his plans. His past criticism of extensive U.S. military aid to Ukraine has sparked debates. Since the war began in February 2022, the U.S. has provided substantial military support to Ukraine, amounting to $55.5 billion as of mid-2024. However, domestic support for such aid has waned, particularly among Republican voters.
On the battlefield, Ukraine faces tough challenges as Russian forces gain ground in the eastern Donbas region and elsewhere. Zelensky acknowledged the difficulties but noted that Russia’s advances come at a high cost, with significant troop losses reported.
The renewed focus on diplomacy follows concerns over war fatigue in Ukraine and abroad. Zelensky criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing it undermines efforts to isolate Russia. Scholz defended the conversation, stating it aimed to push for peace.
Russia launched 83 Shahed drones at Ukraine early Saturday morning, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Of these, 55 were shot down, while 30 lost direction or were disrupted by electronic interference.
On the other hand, Russia’s defense ministry reported destroying 35 Ukrainian drones, including 20 in the western Kursk region and 11 in the Bryansk region. The ministry also claimed that Russian forces captured the villages of Makarivka and Hryhorivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, though this has not been independently confirmed.
