After Donald Trump’s decisive election victory, Ukraine faces the potential loss of its most vital ally, the United States, which has provided $108 billion in military, humanitarian, and economic assistance since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Trump has criticized the amount of aid sent to Ukraine, claiming he could end the war within 24 hours, though he hasn’t detailed how. Many Ukrainians are wary of Trump due to his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who seeks to control Ukraine. Trump has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, not Putin, for the war’s onset. In 2019, Trump was impeached for pressuring Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter over alleged business dealings in Ukraine.
Despite this, Zelenskyy congratulated Trump and spoke with him by phone on Wednesday, calling the conversation “excellent.” He expressed support for Trump’s “peace through strength” foreign policy, believing it would benefit both America and the world. “People want certainty, they want freedom, a normal life. And for us, this is life without Russian aggression and with a strong America, a strong Ukraine, and strong allies,” Zelenskyy said in a video address.
The Kremlin, however, has downplayed Trump’s victory, pointing to the ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not immediately offer congratulations, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reminded reporters that the U.S. is directly and indirectly involved in a war against Russia.
Ukraine continues to face severe challenges as the war enters its third year, with its economy severely impacted by the conflict and heavily reliant on foreign aid. Russian forces are pushing on the eastern front, with North Korean troops joining the battle. Daily Russian attacks devastate Ukrainian cities, and much of the country’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving millions at risk as winter approaches.
Soldier Maksym Sviezhentsev, near the embattled city of Pokrovsk, doubts Trump’s victory will benefit Ukraine. “Trump is unpredictable,” Sviezhentsev told NPR via text, adding that his focus remains on keeping his team prepared for battle. He emphasized that regardless of Trump’s actions, Ukraine must continue fighting Russian forces.
Many Ukrainians fear that Trump might pressure them to cede territory to Russia in exchange for peace, a proposal supported by Vice President-elect JD Vance but unpopular in Ukraine. In Kyiv, 53-year-old Oksana Tsupii expressed the difficulty of accepting such a deal, given the sacrifices made to reclaim Ukrainian land. “It’s hard to look at the graves of our boys who’ve been killed, to think of all our cities Russia has destroyed,” Tsupii said. “But we are so small in this world of politics, and unfortunately, our lives are worth nothing.”
Solomiya Khoma of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center in Kyiv argues that the U.S. remains Ukraine’s best hope for securing a favorable end to the war, while peace efforts from countries like China or Brazil would only lead to a temporary ceasefire, not lasting peace.
The conflict became highly politicized in 2023 when Republican lawmakers loyal to Trump blocked a $61 billion military aid package, delaying critical supplies for Ukrainian soldiers until it was finally passed in April. Since Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian officials have sought bipartisan support from U.S. lawmakers.
Oleksandr Kalenkov, head of the Ukrmetalurgprom association, which represents Ukraine’s metallurgical industry, acknowledged that Ukraine must accept the outcome of the U.S. election. If U.S. aid diminishes, Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine will rely on itself and its European allies, who have already contributed over $175 billion in aid.
Meanwhile, President Biden has worked to secure continued support for Ukraine even beyond his presidency. In the summer, the Pentagon transferred military training and support to NATO, and in September, Biden announced that remaining funds for Ukraine would be allocated by the end of his term. The U.S. also joined the Group of Seven nations in a plan to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan, using interest from Russian assets frozen under sanctions. Biden’s administration will contribute $20 billion to this effort, ensuring the funds are distributed before Trump’s inauguration.
Ukrainians are hopeful that Biden will also lift U.S. restrictions on providing Ukraine with advanced long-range weapons to strike Russian military targets deep within Russia. While the White House has cautioned that such a move could escalate the war, Ukrainian officials argue that it would be crucial for self-defense.
