Zelensky Predicts War Will End Sooner with Trump as US President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is confident that the war with Russia will come to an end “sooner” under the leadership of Donald Trump, should he return to the White House.

Zelensky made the remarks following a “constructive exchange” with Trump after his victory in the US presidential election.

Although Zelensky did not disclose whether Trump had made any specific demands about potential negotiations with Russia, he noted that he had not heard anything from Trump that contradicted Ukraine’s stance.

Trump, who has consistently prioritized ending the war and limiting US military aid to Ukraine, has argued that the ongoing conflict is draining American resources. Zelensky, in a recent interview with Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, stated, “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 also emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to ending the war through diplomatic means and expressed hope that it could conclude next year. “Ukraine must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means,” he added. However, Zelensky acknowledged that the situation on the battlefield remains challenging, with Russian forces continuing to make advances.

Under current US law, Zelensky mentioned that he would not be able to meet with Trump until after his inauguration in January.

The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has been historically turbulent. In 2019, Trump was impeached on charges of pressuring Zelensky to investigate the Biden family, but Trump has repeatedly insisted that he maintained a positive relationship with the Ukrainian leader. In a meeting in New York earlier this year, Trump claimed that he had “learned a lot” from his conversation with Zelensky and expressed confidence that he could resolve the war “very quickly.”

Trump has not yet outlined a specific plan for ending the conflict. His Democratic opponents have criticized him for being overly sympathetic to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of promoting a strategy that would ultimately surrender Ukraine to Russian control and threaten Europe’s security.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Trump following his election win, described their conversation as unexpectedly “detailed and good.” Scholz told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that Trump’s position on the war was more “nuanced” than many had assumed.

Meanwhile, the US has been the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, committing $61 billion in military assistance. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, between February 2022 and June 2024, the US has supplied Ukraine with $55.5 billion worth of weapons and equipment.