His campaign statements on the war in Ukraine had left many protagonists in suspense. Donald Trump, elected this Wednesday to the presidency of the United States for the second time, had repeatedly denounced the billions spent by his country to help kyiv, promising to end the war in twenty-four hours, without ever explaining how .
So, what is likely to happen on the Ukrainian front, with Donald Trump in the White House? “If the United States withdraws its aid, Europe cannot immediately replace it,” warns a NATO diplomat. “I expect that we will see something along the lines of 'silent resignation' with regard to NATO, the end of the war in Ukraine by forcing the Ukrainians to capitulate and a greater focus on China and Taiwan,” predicts Kathleen McInnis, analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“It will be bargaining”
In Ukraine, and among European chancelleries, there is fear that the new president of the United States could impose a peace plan largely favorable to Russia. According to several media, Donald Trump would like to demilitarize but leave the area currently occupied by Moscow, i.e. 20% of Ukrainian territory, under de facto Russian control. He would also be in favor of kyiv renouncing joining NATO, as demanded by the Kremlin.
“If Trump begins negotiations with Russia, it will be bargaining, which will not be based on values and principles, and this could lead to a catastrophic result for Ukraine and for Europe,” judges another ex. -responsible for the Atlantic Alliance.
Zelensky hopes for “a just peace”
Because the “victory plan” desired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, conversely involves an official invitation to join NATO, as well as the strengthening of military aid to block the Ukrainian sky from attacks by Moscow and strike in depth on Russian soil. kyiv also still demands respect for its territorial integrity, excluding any concession of its territory, which therefore seems to contradict some of the ideas of the American billionaire.
Our file on Donald Trump's victory
Congratulating Donald Trump on his “impressive victory”, President Zelensky nevertheless said he hoped that this result would help Ukraine obtain “a just peace”. “I appreciate President Trump's commitment to the 'peace through strength' approach to world affairs,” he wrote on X.
For Moscow, it is the United States which “fuels this conflict”
On the Russian side, Moscow has announced that it will judge Trump on his “actions”, in particular regarding the possible reduction in American support for Ukraine. A hope cherished by some Russians on Wednesday after the billionaire's victory. “We have repeatedly said that the United States was able to bring about an end to this conflict” and Donald Trump will be judged “on concrete actions,” noted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov.
According to him, it is the United States which is “fueling this conflict” because it has been supplying arms and money to Ukraine since Russia launched an attack on this neighboring country on February 24, 2022. Russian diplomacy is said to be ready to work with the new American government, while emphasizing that Russia has “no illusions” about Trump and that it will pursue all its objectives in Ukraine.
