Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed confidence that the war with Russia will “end sooner” following Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president.
Zelensky described his phone conversation with Trump as a “constructive exchange” after the former president’s victory.
While Zelensky did not disclose whether Trump made any specific demands about potential negotiations with Russia, he noted that nothing in the discussion contradicted Ukraine’s stance.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized his priority to end the conflict, citing concerns over the strain on U.S. resources caused by ongoing military aid to Ukraine.
“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 said in an interview with the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne.
He added that Ukraine “must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means”.
The situation on the battlefield is difficult, with Russian forces making advances, Zelensky said.
He said US legislation only allows him to meet with Trump after his inauguration in January.
Trump and Zelensky have long had a tumultuous relationship. Trump was impeached in 2019 over accusations that he pressured Zelensky to dig up damaging information on the Biden family.
Despite years of differences, Trump has insisted he had a very good relationship with Zelensky.
When the pair met in New York in September, Trump said he “learned a lot” from the meeting and said he would get the war “resolved very quickly”.
Trump has not yet revealed how he plans to bring an end to the war.
His Democratic rivals have accused him of being overly friendly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that his stance on the conflict would effectively lead to a surrender for Ukraine and pose a threat to the safety of Europe.
However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke with Trump following his election victory, stated that the incoming U.S. leader holds a “more nuanced” view of the war than is widely believed.
Scholz described their conversation to the *Süddeutsche Zeitung* newspaper as “perhaps surprisingly, a very detailed and good conversation.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $61 billion (£49 billion) military aid package for Ukraine to assist in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
The U.S. has been the largest arms supplier to Ukraine, committing or delivering weapons and equipment valued at $55.5 billion (£41.5 billion) between February 2022 and June 2024, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research organization.