On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that if Donald Trump were to become president of the United States, Russia’s war in Ukraine would end “faster.” In a radio interview with Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne, Zelensky acknowledged the difficulties on the battlefield, noting that Russia has been leveraging its superiority in both troops and weaponry.
Regarding a potential Trump administration, he claimed that the conflict would “end faster” due to the policies of the team that would lead the White House. Zelensky emphasized, “This is their strategy, their pledge to their community, and it is also very important to them.” He added, “We must do everything to ensure that the war ends next year through diplomatic means.”
Trump, who was recently elected to a second term, has repeatedly asserted that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would not have started if he had been president. He stated in July that he could end the conflict in a single day, although he did not provide specifics on how he would do so.
Throughout his campaign, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, expressed serious concerns about the US’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine. Since the large-scale invasion by Russian forces in February 2022, the conflict has persisted for over two and a half years.
Meanwhile, G7 leaders sent a message on Saturday reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukraine. The statement, which emphasized solidarity with Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty, freedom, independence, territorial integrity, and reconstruction, declared, “We stand in solidarity.” The leaders also noted that Russia is “the sole obstacle to just and lasting peace.”
On the ground, Russia is advancing toward strategic locations along the eastern and southeastern frontlines, including the city of Kurakhove. Ukraine has not confirmed Russia’s claims of capturing two additional settlements in the Donetsk region on Saturday.
Additionally, Moscow is preparing to launch a counteroffensive in Kursk, where Kyiv achieved its only significant military victory this year. Zelensky acknowledged that conditions in eastern Ukraine were “indeed difficult.” He mentioned that they had been waiting for the delivery of certain weaponry for a year and pointed out the “slow but steady pressure and advance of the Russians.”
However, Zelensky highlighted that Moscow’s forces were suffering heavy losses, with estimates of up to 2,000 troops lost per day due to Russia’s advances. “These are awful losses,” he remarked. “With such losses, they cannot continue to advance.”
Zelensky also criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for opening a “Pandora’s box” that undermines efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. This criticism came after Scholz and Putin had a phone conversation on Friday, marking their first discussion in two years.