Donald Trump's victory could have serious consequences for Ukraine
Donald Trump's victory in the US election marks a clean break with Joe Biden's administration, not least on the foreign policy front. While Biden has been unwavering in his support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022, a Trump presidency will be less favourable towards the country.
Several European NATO countries have expressed concern about the consequences of Trump becoming the next president of the United States. They fear a reduced US commitment to the security of the European continent and an end to US military support for Ukraine.
These fears are not unfounded. Trump has blamed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for the war and called him "the world's greatest salesman" for securing billions of dollars in US military aid. Trump could decide to reduce or stop this funding, putting Ukraine in an even more difficult position than it is already in.
Good relationship with Putin
Russia is currently making progress in the war, both in regaining territory lost during Ukraine's summer invasion and in the east of Ukraine. The recent deployment of more than 10,000 North Korean troops is making it increasingly difficult for Ukraine to repel further Russian attacks, as it struggles to find new recruits.
These conditions could make it possible for Russia to push for a deal with Trump, while retaining some of Ukraine's territory, once he is in power. Trump has said he has a "very good relationship" with Russian president Vladimir Putin and that if he were to return to power he would end the war "in a day".
But Mark Rutte, NATO's new secretary general, has repeatedly said he is not worried about Trump's second term and a possible deal with Russia. "I know he fully understands that this war in Ukraine is not only about Ukraine, but also about the security and future security of the United States," he said in October.
© PHOTO UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP
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