Facing uncertain fate under Trump, Ukraine appeals to his 'strength'

Ukraine appealed to Donald Trump's image as a tough leader on Wednesday on X/Twitter in the hope of persuading the returning US president not to abandon its cause in pursuit of peace with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump, who has criticized the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv and vowed to end the war with Russia quickly without saying how.

In a message released shortly after Trump claimed victory, Zelensky said he looked forward to an "era of a strong United States of America under President Trump's decisive leadership."

This came before Politico reports that the Biden administration will try to rush the last of over $6 billion remaining in Ukraine security assistance out the door by the time President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The Biden officials POLITICO cited said that this plan is the only option the White House has to continue sending military aid to Ukraine.

For us in Ukraine, and all across Europe, it has always been crucial to hear the words of the then 45th President of the United States about “peace through strength.”When this principle becomes the policy of the 47th President, both America and the entire world will undoubtedly… pic.twitter.com/qVWkLLejwd

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 6, 2024

Trump's affect on the Ukraine-Russia war

On multiple social media channels, Zelensky emphasized how Trump's policy of 'peace through strength' would benefit both countries. 

"I appreciate President Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach in global affairs," Zelensky wrote on X/Twitter. "This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together."

"People want confidence, they want freedom, a normal life," Zelensky said. "For us, this means a life free from Russian aggression, and with a strong America, with a strong Ukraine, with strong allies."

Zelensky emphasized the value of American bipartisan support for Ukraine, and expressed interest in "the potential for stronger cooperation."

"This is what will make Ukraine, America, and the entire free world more successful," he stated.

Both sides agree that the war can't be ended in 24 hours

Officials in Russia appear to remain optimistic that Trump's victory would allow the Kremlin to end the war on better terms for Russia and are especially hopeful that the newly-Republican congress would mean greater speed with less interference from Democrats, according to reporting from The Moscow Times. 

“With Republicans possibly holding both chambers, there will effectively be no divided government, so there's no fear of sabotage from the Democrats,” one source told The Moscow Times.

However, the Kremlin does not believe that the war can be ended in a day, as Trump has previously stated.

"We have repeatedly said that the United States can help end the conflict in Ukraine. This, of course, cannot be done overnight," Russian Presidential Spokesman Dimitri Peskov said.

According to reporting from The Moscow Times, Russian diplomats believe that Trump will be "desperate" to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

“Trump will probably want to facilitate this, provided he is at the center of the entire process and can then claim his Nobel Peace Prize or make his mark in some other way,” a source close to the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “His self-interest has always been important, and it always will be.”

Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko also agreed that Trump would be likely to push for swift talks to end the war, which could involve "certain concessions" to Russia. But he said he expected Washington would be unlikely to capitulate completely to Moscow's demands.

"I don't think that Trump would agree to peace only on Russia's terms, as this would look like a defeat for the US, and his advisers understand this," he told Reuters.

Zelensky has also stated that Trump would be unable to end the war as quickly as the President-elect would prefer. 

“So, I invite President Trump. If he can come here, I will need 24 minutes — yes, 24 minutes. Not more. Yes. Not more — 24 minutes to explain [to] President Trump that he can’t manage this war. He can’t bring peace because of Putin.”Zelensky said on air: “He is very welcome to come here, but I think he can not end the war in 24 hours, without giving our land to Putin.”

If Trump were to slash aid to Ukraine, the American economy would take a hit, The Kyiv Independent reported. The US defense industry has received investments totaling over  $50 billion because of its support of Ukraine; billions were sent to states that were key to Trump's miraculous win, like Arkansas, Alabama, and Florida.

Reuters contributed to this report.