November 16, 2024: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested on Friday that the war with Russia could come to a swifter conclusion with Donald Trump back in the White House. In a statement to Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne, Zelensky remarked that the policies of Trump's administration could bring the ongoing conflict to an end "sooner" than if the current US leadership remains in place.

"It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens," Zelensky said, although he added that the exact timing of the conflict's conclusion remained uncertain.

The Ukrainian leader’s remarks follow a phone call with Trump after the latter’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election. Zelensky described the conversation as "constructive," noting that there was nothing in Trump's statements that contradicted Ukraine’s stance on the war.

Trump, who has long been critical of the billions of dollars in military and economic aid the US has provided to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has vowed to resolve the conflict in what he has described as an expedited manner. "I will work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It’s got to stop," Trump said Friday during an event at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

Throughout his campaign, Trump promised to bring the war to a swift conclusion, declaring he could resolve the situation "in 24 hours," although he has not specified the details of how this would be achieved. His stance has raised concerns among some in Ukraine that US support could diminish under a Trump administration, particularly as Ukrainian forces continue to face intense pressure on the frontlines. There are also fears that the US may push Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia, which Zelensky has repeatedly rejected.

As the conflict drags on, Ukraine’s leaders are watching closely how Trump's return to office could reshape the dynamics of international support, particularly from the US, which has been a key backer in the fight against Russian aggression. While Zelensky remains hopeful that Trump's leadership will accelerate peace efforts, the uncertainty surrounding the specifics of Trump’s proposed approach to the war continues to stir anxiety in Kyiv.