The self-restraint policy of President Joe Biden regarding American aid to Ukraine has become so frustrating for Kyiv that Donald Trump's victory in the elections has transformed from the worst nightmare into a beacon of hope for the Ukrainian leadership. This is reported by The Economist.
Although during the election campaign, Donald Trump repeatedly criticized American assistance to Ukraine and refused to condemn Russian aggression, after his victory, Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to congratulate the Republican.
"We are looking forward to an era of strong United States under the decisive leadership of President Trump," he wrote on social media platform X.
This eloquent congratulation, according to the authors of the publication, further confirms the disappointment with Biden that Ukrainian officials express in private conversations. America's refusal to allow Ukraine to use donated missiles to strike Russia, chronic delays in military aid deliveries, and the inability to provide Ukraine with reliable security guarantees have been perceived as weakness and hypocrisy. Thus, Trump's victory may offer Ukraine a way out of what The Economist described as, at best, a "bloody deadlock, and at worst, defeat."
While Trump's election partner, newly elected Vice President JD Vance, previously expressed intentions to freeze the war and force Ukraine into neutrality without punishing the aggressor, the authors of the publication do not believe that the new U.S. president will completely "sell out" Ukraine. This is partly due to the sentiments of his Republican voters.
"He certainly won't want to be the author and owner of Ukraine's defeat. But Trump will likely demand something in return from Ukraine. This could be access to its natural resources, for example. He will be much less concerned about any liberal values," writes The Economist.
The unknown element remains Vladimir Putin and what he is willing to agree to for the sake of peace. Sources close to the Russian leader have sent mixed signals regarding his readiness for negotiations. One source warns that "complex issues" make a quick peace agreement "unrealistic." Furthermore, Putin believes that his forces are winning and that he can handle weakened Ukrainians.
"It makes sense that he will push further. But military success is deceptive. You can never be sure what will happen tomorrow," says a Ukrainian security official.
Trump's election victory: further consequences
As reported by UNIAN, Trump's victory has put Ukraine in a nuclear dilemma. According to political analyst Casey Michel, if the U.S. now reduces aid and does not accept Ukraine into NATO, Kyiv will have only one way to avoid the genocide of its own people - to acquire nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, The Guardian suggests that at the upcoming peace negotiations, which will take place under Trump's mediation, Russia is likely to demand significant concessions from Ukraine. In particular, this may include demands to cede the cities of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, declare a neutral status, and even pay reparations for the destruction caused by Russia itself in Donbas.