For Vasily Kushmuns, vice-president of Promote Ukraine, a Brussels-based organization that defends the rights of Ukrainians, Trump’s return is, from a military point of view, seen positively. “He was the first president to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine such as anti-tank missile launchers. Thanks to this, we managed to contain Russia’s offensive two years ago. Moreover, it was he who did everything to stop the work of Nord Stream 2 (the gas pipeline system linking Russia to Germany which would have brought billions to the Kremlin, Editor’s note).”
However, he does not believe in the promise of stopping the war in 24 hours as much “the militarization of the Russian economy is intensifying.” “He can call Putin and Zelensky and tell them to stop, but I don’t think Putin would listen to him”continues Vasily Kushmuns. “In 2024, Russia increased its military spending to 10.8 trillion rubles, or about 6% of its GDP. This reflects the prioritization of military spending over social needs.”
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Right man in the right place
According to him, Trump is the right man in the right place pour “defend the interests of the United States and the West against China, North Korea, Iran and Russia. No, I wouldn’t have preferred Harris. Many promises have not been kept. For example, half of the aid promised to Ukraine was not delivered“, he adds.
Some are much less enthusiastic and fear the role that Vice-President JD Vance will play. “It is difficult to predict the exact impact of a Trump victory in the US elections, particularly because of his unpredictable approach.explains Olena Kuzhym, lawyer based in Brussels. “However, based on JD Vance’s proposed peace plan, a Trump victory could be worrying for Ukraine.”
The plan in question aims to create a demilitarized zone along the current front line between Ukraine and Russia and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO, in order to enforce a policy of neutrality. “This approach would not end the war, but could instead provoke further aggression by appeasing Russia, allowing it to retain control of the occupied territories. We hope that Donald Trump will develop a more nuanced and viable policy and help Ukraine to strengthen its defense capabilities”, she adds.
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The Musk Factor
The interference of billionaire Elon Musk in the conflict is also viewed negatively. “Elon Musk, one of Trump’s strongest supporters, is already undermining Ukraine and supporting Russia”concludes Kateryna Mostova, with particular reference to the voluntary shutdown of the Starlink satellite by Elon Musk to stop an attack by Ukrainian underwater drones on the Russian fleet in the Black Sea in 2022.
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