Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism that the ongoing conflict with Russia will end sooner with Donald Trump as the US President. This statement comes after a constructive phone conversation between Zelensky and Trump following the latter’s victory in the US presidential election.
Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to ending the war through diplomatic means by next year. He acknowledged that Russian forces have made advances on the battlefield but stressed the importance of understanding Russia’s objectives.
The US has been a significant supporter of Ukraine, with the House of Representatives approving a $61 billion military aid package earlier this year. However, domestic support for arming Ukraine appears to have waned, particularly among Republican voters.
Trump has consistently prioritized ending the war, describing it as a drain on US resources. During his election campaign, he pledged to end the war “in a day” but has yet to disclose his strategy.
Key Developments in the Conflict:
- Russian Advances: Russian forces have made incremental gains along the eastern front line, with significant fighting around Kupyansk and Vuhledar.
- Ukrainian Counter-Offensive: Ukraine launched a break-out offensive into Russia’s Kursk region, occupying Russian territory for the first time since World War Two.
- Diplomatic Efforts: Zelensky’s “victory plan” aims to avoid creating “buffer zones” within Ukraine, with analysts suggesting the territory held in Kursk may serve as a bargaining chip in peace talks
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