RENAN MARRA
Donald Trump’s victory in the United States presidential election raises concerns regarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Critical of American spending on the conflict, the Republican threatens to review Washington’s support for the invaded country. The day after the Republican triumph, European leaders met, this Thursday (7), to outline strategies with the aim of containing Russia’s advance.
At the event organized by the European Political Community, created after Russia’s invasion of Ukrainian territory in 2022, President Volodimir Zelenski stated that any concessions to the Kremlin would be “unacceptable for all of Europe”.
On the same day, Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated that the planet is moving towards a new world order. He was commenting on Washington’s efforts to inflict defeats on Moscow on the battlefield during the administration of Democrat Joe Biden. Then, without mentioning names, he criticized what he called the “exorbitant adventurism” characteristic of some Western politicians.
The Russian’s statement raises alarms for the Ukrainian authorities. It is not for nothing that Zelenski said that the US and its European allies need to be strong and value their relations, even if Trump’s victory casts a “shadow of uncertainty” regarding support for Ukraine.
“There was a lot of talk about the need to give in to [presidente russo Vladimir] Putin, to back down, to make some concessions. It is unacceptable for Ukraine and unacceptable for all of Europe”, said Zelenski in a speech to the European Parliament in Budapest.
Leaders from more than 40 European countries met in the capital of Hungary this Thursday and called for stronger action to defend Ukraine. Zelenski, the protagonist of the event, also said that it is too early to predict the direction that Trump should take, but that having a strong USA would be good for Europe and vice versa.
Trump’s relationship with the European Union was fraught with obstacles in his first term. Since then, the Republican has said that he does not intend to defend European allies if they do not invest more in their own defense.
In recent months, Trump has expressed disagreement with the current American position on the Ukraine War and proposed tariffs on imports that could harm European manufacturers. Critic of American spending on conflicts involving other countries, the president-elect also says he will end the war in Eastern Europe within 24 hours, something that would imply concessions to Russia, according to critics.
More than two and a half years after the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s forces are in a position of strength on the battlefronts, and the country’s Army is advancing increasingly quickly against the smaller and less equipped enemy troops, according to analysts.
In parallel, Trump’s return to the White House makes Ukraine and its European allies fear that the US will withdraw its support in the coming months. “I spoke with President Trump. It was a good and productive conversation, but we cannot say what actions he will take”, said the Ukrainian after the American election.
Zelensky also recalled that Russian forces were reinforced by at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers. In this context, he added, maintaining aid is more than ever crucial.
In addition to Putin, other Russian officials also commented on the war after Trump’s victory. The head of the Security Council and former Minister of Defense, Serguei Choigu, urged Western powers, in a threatening tone, to begin negotiations favorable to Moscow. “The situation at the scene of hostilities does not favor the Kiev regime. The West can choose: continue financing [da Ucrânia] and the destruction of the Ukrainian people or admit reality and start negotiating.”
The ball is now in the Americans’ court, added the head of Russian diplomacy, Serguei Lavrov. “We will see if there are proposals [da nova administração americana]”, these.
To stop the war, Russia demands that Ukraine cede five regions and renounce its alliance with Western powers, as well as its ambition to join NATO, the US-led military alliance, conditions that Kiev considers unacceptable.
