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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s characteristics of being “strong and unpredictable” could play a key role in shaping a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
However, Zelenskyy acknowledged that it wouldn’t be possible to end the nearly three-year war as swiftly as Trump claimed during his election campaign.
In an interview with Ukrainian television late Thursday, Zelenskyy stated, “The intense phase of the war could come to a close quickly if Trump maintains a firm stance.” He continued, “I believe Trump is both strong and unpredictable, and I hope his unpredictability is directed primarily towards Russia.”
While Trump, who will officially take office on January 20, has yet to outline his specific policy on Ukraine, his previous remarks have raised doubts about whether the U.S. will continue its role as Ukraine’s largest military ally. Zelenskyy has been proactive in seeking assurances that American support will persist, having met with Trump in New York before last November’s election.
With the war nearing its fourth year and Trump’s presidency approaching, there is growing speculation about how and when the conflict, the largest in Europe since World War II, will come to an end.
Russia currently controls roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and last year, it managed to exploit vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s defenses, making gradual advances in the eastern regions despite significant casualties. The war’s outlook is not favorable for Ukraine, which faces shortages on the front lines and remains reliant on Western assistance.
Zelenskyy noted that Trump responded positively to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal of deploying Western peacekeepers to help mediate a ceasefire in Ukraine. The two leaders met in Paris last month, with Zelenskyy raising concerns about which countries would contribute to the initiative and whether the U.S. would participate.
Zelenskyy also reiterated his determination to see Ukraine join NATO, despite the alliance’s stance that membership will only be possible once the war concludes. “The presence of European peacekeeping forces should not exclude Ukraine’s future membership in NATO,” he stated.
The Ukrainian president also discussed the symbolic importance of Ukrainian forces’ incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region, calling it a “powerful trump card” in potential peace talks. This marked the first occupation of Russian territory since World War II, although it has not significantly altered the war’s dynamics. Military experts have noted that Ukraine has lost about 40% of the land it initially captured.
Despite the setbacks, Zelenskyy pointed out that the offensive had a profound impact on countries in Asia, South America, and Africa, while damaging Russia’s military reputation.
