During a press conference in Kyiv on Monday, Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear that he was "not afraid" of a second Trump term, expressing hope that he will be able to work with a Republican-led American government as he has with the Democrats under Joe Biden. The Ukrainian president did, however, acknowledge that if Donald Trump is re-elected, the aid from the United States that his nation has relied on may dry up.
Trump has repeatedly stated that he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, and criticised his successor for continuing to shell out billions of dollars in military aid. He also appeared to be in favor of working with Russia to put an end to the fighting via a deal that would see to it that Ukraine doesn't join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and cedes territory to Putin.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Zelensky told reporters he and his government would be willing to work with whoever Americans elect in November, Democrat or Republican. He claimed that while there is still sizable support for sending billions in aid to his nation among both parties, more "right-wing radical" politicians were becoming more pronounced in their opposition.
"Regarding the way one of the presidential candidates, Trump, envisions the end of the war, I understand it in general," Zelensky said. "I think that if Mr. Trump becomes president, then we will work [together]. I'm not afraid of that."
Other world leaders have expressed concern that Republicans will gut funding for Ukraine, and NATO recently announced it would be stationing a senior civilian official in Kyiv to "Trump-proof" the nation.
"A big reason for the change is to Trump-proof the assistance effort to Ukraine," former US-NATO ambassador Ivo Daalder said. "Rather than having Washington in charge of managing the training and assistance, NATO will be in charge. So even if the US reduces or withdraws support for the effort, it won't be eliminated."
Trump has repeatedly stated that he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, and criticised his successor for continuing to shell out billions of dollars in military aid. He also appeared to be in favor of working with Russia to put an end to the fighting via a deal that would see to it that Ukraine doesn't join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and cedes territory to Putin.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Zelensky told reporters he and his government would be willing to work with whoever Americans elect in November, Democrat or Republican. He claimed that while there is still sizable support for sending billions in aid to his nation among both parties, more "right-wing radical" politicians were becoming more pronounced in their opposition.
"Regarding the way one of the presidential candidates, Trump, envisions the end of the war, I understand it in general," Zelensky said. "I think that if Mr. Trump becomes president, then we will work [together]. I'm not afraid of that."
Other world leaders have expressed concern that Republicans will gut funding for Ukraine, and NATO recently announced it would be stationing a senior civilian official in Kyiv to "Trump-proof" the nation.
"A big reason for the change is to Trump-proof the assistance effort to Ukraine," former US-NATO ambassador Ivo Daalder said. "Rather than having Washington in charge of managing the training and assistance, NATO will be in charge. So even if the US reduces or withdraws support for the effort, it won't be eliminated."
