Fri Nov 08 06:01:33 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine and Russia Jockey for Influence with Trump as US Election Jumbles War Dynamics

**Budapest/Sochi** – With Donald Trump’s election victory, Ukraine and Russia have wasted no time in vying for his favor as they seek a resolution to their long-running conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a “fair ending to the war,” cautioning against a hasty peace that could lead to Ukrainian defeat. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump and expressed interest in exploring the newly elected president’s ideas for brokering peace.

Trump’s campaign promises to mediate a peace deal and potentially scale back US aid to Kyiv have injected a new level of uncertainty into the situation. While Trump has stated he plans to speak with Putin, he provided little detail on his approach to resolving the conflict.

Trump’s election has also cast doubt on the future of US and European aid to Ukraine. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a staunch Trump ally, declared that the previously agreed €50 billion aid package is now an “open question.” This comes as Germany’s coalition government crumbled partly due to a dispute over Ukrainian aid.

Zelensky, meanwhile, has sought to solidify European support for Ukraine, but his efforts have been complicated by Trump’s victory and Germany’s political instability. He has emphasized that Ukraine will not accept concessions that would be “suicidal” for Europe.

Despite the jockeying for influence, Russia has shown no sign of backing down. Russian forces continued to target Ukraine with airstrikes and drone attacks, while Putin maintains his stance that any negotiations must reflect the current realities on the ground.

Western officials have expressed private concerns that Zelensky’s goal of pushing Russia out of Ukrainian territory may be unrealistic. Many are calling for a negotiated end to the conflict, but the prospect of peace remains tenuous.

While some European leaders have reached out to Trump since his election, others are exploring ways to deepen defense coordination with European allies in case of a decline in US support for Ukraine. The UK is considering joint procurement and military exercises with its European counterparts.

The US, however, remains committed to providing Ukraine with defensive support, although it has declined to provide Kyiv with the long-range weapons it desires. While some critics argue that Biden’s cautious approach has led to a stalemate, others believe Ukraine’s best chance for long-term security lies in bolstering its own defense capabilities.

The conflict in Ukraine, once again, finds itself at a crossroads, with Trump’s victory adding a new layer of uncertainty to the already complex geopolitical landscape. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of the conflict and the future of the international order.

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