Washington Post: Zelenskyy’s team remains “optimistic” about potential Trump win, sees chance for reset

Despite public criticism of Ukraine aid by a presidential candidate Donald Trump, senior officials in Kyiv believe President Zelenskyy’s interpersonal skills could forge a productive relationship with Trump if he returns to the White House, while another candidate Kamala Harris could continue “too cautious” decision-making by the current administration.

Nov 2, 2024 - 20:00

Washington Post: Zelenskyy’s team remains “optimistic” about potential Trump win, sees chance for reset

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meets with former US President Donald Trump in New York on 27 September 2024.

Ukrainian officials anonymously claim that President Zelenskyy’s Office retains optimism about a potential Donald Trump victory in the upcoming US presidential election, despite his public criticism of Ukraine aid and promotion of quick end to the war with Russia, according to the Washington Post.

Initially, Trump had been skeptical of Zelenskyy, referring to him as a “the greatest salesman on Earth” during his presidency, and their interactions were marked by tension, especially during Trump’s first impeachment in 2019. However, more recently, Trump has softened his stance, and even praised Zelenskyy as a “piece of steel” for his resilience.

A potential shift in US policy under a Trump administration could lead to reduced military assistance, which many fear would embolden Russia.

However, according to anonymous Ukrainian officials cited by the Post, Zelenskyy’s inner circle expresses confidence in their leader’s ability to “sway Trump if the two forged a personal bond.”

While maintaining official neutrality on the US election, some members of Zelenskyy’s administration believe a change from the current approach could benefit Ukraine.

According to anonymous Ukrainian officials cited by the Post, there is frustration with what they perceive as the Biden-Harris administration’s “too cautious and too slow” approach to military support. They point to Russia’s battlefield advances over the past year as evidence that the current strategy needs adjustment.

The optimism within Zelenskyy’s office stems partly from perceived similarities between the two leaders. A former Ukrainian official told the Post that Zelensky “always saw similarities between himself and Trump,” noting their unconventional paths to power – Trump from business and Zelenskyy from entertainment.

“Zelensky and his team like simple solutions. And Trump is the guy of simple solutions,” the official said.

However, the Washington Post notes that some Ukrainian officials express concern about Trump’s potential push for territorial concessions to Russia. Trump has repeatedly called for a rapid end to the war but hasn’t detailed his plan.

His running mate JD Vance’s proposal to freeze current battle lines, which would leave significant Ukrainian territory under Russian control, has also raised concerns among Ukrainian officials.

“We are also on the side of quick decision of peace, but we should not have to pay for this. We are not aggressors. Russia is the aggressor; they should pay,” stated Zelenskyy in a recent interview with Nordic journalists.

In September, the leaders met briefly in New York where Zelenskyy was presenting his victory plan. During a meeting, former US President Donald Trump highlighted his relationships with both Ukrainian President and Russian President Putin, expressing confidence that he could quickly resolve the Russo-Ukrainian war if re-elected.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump also praised Zelenskyy’s handling of the 2019 impeachment controversy, saying “He could have grandstanded and played cute, but he didn’t do that. He was like a piece of steel.”

Trump reiterated his stance on achieving a “fair deal” to end the war in Ukraine and hinted at the possibility of stronger US aid if Russia rejected his proposed peace solution.

According to Anton Grushetsky, director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, Ukrainians remain cautious about potential changes in US leadership, noting “a certain fear of change” while acknowledging frustration with the current administration’s approach.

“You have strong words, but people are upset that they aren’t followed by strong actions,” he said.

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