What You Need to Know: Donald Trump’s re-election has raised questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. While Trump has pledged to end the war, concerns remain about potential reductions in American military aid, which could impact Ukraine’s resilience.

-The Biden administration is rushing substantial aid to Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration, anticipating potential policy shifts. Ukrainian President Zelensky has cautiously welcomed Trump’s promises, hoping they lead to “peace through strength.”

-Trump’s campaign rhetoric may evolve as he faces the complexities of achieving peace without undermining Ukraine’s security or emboldening Russia’s objectives.

Trump and Ukraine: What Happens Now?

Donald Trump’s electoral victory has America bracing for policy reversals, an inevitability of a power transition. Given the president’s central role in dictating U.S. foreign policy, much attention is being paid to Trump’s stances on foreign affairs, namely the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War.  

After two-and-a-half-years of fighting, the conflict has become entrenched as a war of attrition. Ukraine’s ability to continue resisting depends primarily upon American aid. If Trump decides to stem the flow of American aid, what will that mean for Ukrainian forces? 

And of course, many pundits are arguing that Trump is sympathetic to, perhaps even beholden to, the Putin regime, and that Trump’s disposition will increase the likelihood that America facilitates a favorable outcome for Russia.  

The Ukrainians will watch the U.S. presidential transition closely. “Ukrainians reacted with a mix of trepidation and grim resolve to the news that Donald Trump will…be reelected…after he vowed to “stop wars” in a victorious speech Wednesday morning,” POLITICO reported. 

Campaign Promises 

Trump did indicate during his campaign that he would work to end the Russo-Ukraine War. Ostensibly, suing for peace would be a good thing. Yet, certain segments of the population are concerned that Trump and the U.S. will be abandoning Ukraine. Jimmy Kimmel, for example. 

Personally, I’d argue that ending the war in Ukraine is a good thing. Similarly, I’d argue that the U.S. does not need to be sending copious amounts of military aid to Ukraine. The onus for defending Europe should ultimately fall to Europe. The Biden administration feels otherwise, of course, and seems set to rush aid to Ukraine before the transition of power.  

“The White House plans to rush billions of dollars in security assistance to Ukraine before President Joe Biden leaves office in January,” the AP reported, “hoping to shore up the government in Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration.”  

Ukraine, meanwhile, is already working to flatter the incoming president. “It was extremely important for us in Ukraine and for all of Europe to consistently hear the words of [Trump in his first term as president] about peace through strength. And if this becomes the policy principle of [the incoming Trump presidency], American and the whole world will undoubtedly benefit from it,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “It is not without reason that Ronald Reagan is mentioned so often these days, people want confidence, they want freedom, a normal life. And for us, this means a life free from Russian aggression, and with a strong America.” 

Obviously, elected officials often take a different tact in office than on the campaign trail. Trump’s boasts of ending the war immediately will be difficult to accomplish.   

About the Author: Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken. 

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