Worry in Ukraine: Zelenskyy congratulates president-elect Donald Trump amid concerns over future of US aid

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has contratulated Donald Trump over his stunning victory in the elections amid his deep concern that the new Republican administration may reconsider the United States’ continued support for his country in its ongoing war with Russia.

In a message released early Wednesday (Nov. 6), Zelenskyy expressed hope that under Trump’s leadership, the strong partnership between Ukraine and the United States would continue to thrive, even as global analysts predict a potential shift in US foreign policy priorities.

“I look forward to working with President Trump to further our shared goals of peace and stability in Eastern Europe and around the world,” Zelenskyy’s message read, underscoring Ukraine’s gratitude for the past military and humanitarian aid that has been critical in Ukraine’s defence against the Russian invasion.

“We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace,” the Ukrainian president wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) post, mentioning he had “an excellent call” with Donald Trump after the latter registered a “landslide victory” in the US.

Trump’s return to the White House has raised pressing questions about the future of US support for Ukraine.

During his campaign, Trump indicated that he would pursue a more isolationist approach in foreign affairs and prioritize domestic issues.

He also frequently stated his intentions to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, which some interpret as a move that could lead to a reduction or cessation of military aid to Ukraine.

While Zelenskyy’s congratulatory message struck a tone of optimism, many Ukrainian officials and citizens voiced concern over what Trump’s presidency could mean for Ukraine’s defence efforts.
Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, emphasized the pivotal role that US aid has played in Ukraine’s resilience.

“Without the support of our allies, especially the United States, our ability to defend our sovereignty would face serious challenges,” Danilov said in a statement.

Trump’s re-election has also prompted responses from European leaders, with some expressing worry that a decrease in US involvement in Ukraine could leave European nations shouldering more of the defence burden.

Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), released a statement affirming NATO’s “ironclad” commitment to supporting Ukraine, noting that NATO allies would continue their aid, regardless of the US position.

At the same time, pro-Trump voices in the US argue that reducing aid to Ukraine could help redirect resources to domestic infrastructure and economic issues.

Supporters assert that Trump’s strategy to broker a peace deal could ultimately benefit Ukraine by ending the war through diplomacy, though critics argue that such an approach risks compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty and may embolden Russian advances.

In Ukraine, Zelenskyy’s administration has yet to outline how it plans to adapt should Trump enact changes to current support levels.

Analysts believe Kyiv will likely pursue additional bilateral support from other European nations and intensify its diplomatic engagements with Congress to secure continued US assistance.

The weeks ahead are expected to be crucial as Zelenskyy’s government navigates this new geopolitical landscape.

Both Ukrainian officials and citizens as well as the global leaders are monitoring the developments closely, while Ukraine is hoping that despite Trump’s possible policy shift, the strategic alliance with the United States can be preserved.