KYIV, Ukraine — Artillery soldiers stationed on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine had only a limited understanding of the recent U.S. election results, which signaled a victory for Donald Trump. However, they firmly hold onto their hopes regarding the future president’s support for Ukraine.
This particular artillery unit engages in daily offensives against Russian forces, often exchanging fire in return. Just recently, they successfully intercepted a Russian drone with one of their nets. The commander of the unit, who goes by the name Mozart, expressed his hopes before Trump’s victory was officially declared, stating, “I hope that the quantity of weapons, the quantity of guns for our victory will increase. We don’t care who is the president, as long as they don’t cut us off from help because we need it.”
The uncertainty surrounding American support due to Trump’s election results raises concerns for the soldiers, as they rely on their limited Starlink internet connection to receive news. Many in the unit hope that Trump will ensure sustained American backing for Ukraine amid recent Russian advances in the east, though the current frontline dynamics have remained relatively stable, according to the commander.
Notably, during Trump’s presidency, the U.S. began supplying weapons to Ukraine in 2017, including vital Javelin anti-tank missiles that played an important role in repelling Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. However, Trump’s general skepticism about U.S. involvement in foreign disputes persists.
Despite having praised his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and referring to him as “pretty smart” for his actions, Trump has also been critical of the U.S. support for Ukraine. He characterized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “the greatest salesman on Earth” for successfully securing aid from the United States.
In light of the recent election, President Zelenskyy was quick to congratulate Trump and expressed his hope for collaboration in ending the looming Russia-Ukraine conflict. He appreciated Trump’s commitment to a “peace through strength” strategy in global relations, believing it could lead to a fair resolution for Ukraine.
Trump has declared that he could achieve a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia within a day if re-elected; however, he has remained vague on the specifics of how this would happen. During a recent debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, he avoided directly answering whether he supports Ukraine’s victory, leading to concerns about potential unfavorable terms in negotiations should he take charge of them.
In Kyiv, 18-year-old Viktoriia Zubrytska expressed a pragmatic view regarding her expectations of Trump’s presidency. She speculated that Ukraine might need to concede some territory for peace, deeming this a preferable alternative to the uncertain optimism presented by the current administration. “Certainty and objective truth is much better than lies and life in illusions,” she remarked, reflecting the sentiment among many Ukrainians.
A recent survey indicated a stark divide in opinions about continuing aid to Ukraine among voters, revealing that while a large percentage of those supporting Kamala Harris were in favor, significantly fewer former Trump voters shared that sentiment.
On the frontlines in eastern Kharkiv, a soldier known as “Rodych” expressed his acceptance of the situation, acknowledging that the American electoral process was beyond their control. “We are a shield between Europe and Russia,” he stated, emphasizing that many outside Ukraine do not grasp the gravity of the ongoing situation, seeing it merely as distant news.
NATO allies, including France and Germany, are closely observing the election outcome. They convened for a high-level defense meeting in Paris to discuss the implications, with Ukraine likely to be pivotal in the discussions. These major European powers continue to offer substantial support aimed at helping Ukraine contend with Russia’s aggression.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte referenced a “more aggressive Russia” during these conversations and highlighted Trump’s earlier efforts to encourage increased defense spending among NATO member states.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has reiterated its stance on American involvement in the Ukraine conflict, referring to the U.S. as an “unfriendly” nation. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed he was unaware if President Putin would congratulate Trump but underscored Russia’s position that U.S. support for Ukraine constitutes direct involvement in the military conflict. He acknowledged Trump’s claims about accelerating a peaceful resolution, remarking, “The U.S. can help end the conflict,” although he added that it wouldn’t happen immediately.
