Policymakers urge Europe to prepare for different outcomes of US elections and avoid imposing deal with Russia on Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident

We need sufficient weapons, not support in talks. Hugs with Putin won’t help. Some of you have been hugging him for 20 years, and things are only getting worse,

Zelensky said

Volodymyr Zelenskyypresident

I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine's strategic partnership with the United States."

Mr Zelensky wrote on X

I don't believe in the miracle of Trump's ability to scare Putin."

Speaking to the Kyiv Independent, Yurii, a Ukrainian soldier, said

I do not think that Donald Trump is a person who wants to go down in world history as the one who made concessions to the dictator of a third-world country,

she added

No one believes that he will be able to have an impact on Putin."

Pleskov was also skeptical

I really like his determination and steadfastness in making decisions,

Olga Bigar, a Ukrainian officer, also had some optimism about Trump ... she told BI

I believe a strong statement from the new administration supporting Ukraine would help the situation here in Ukraine immediately,

Rice said from the Ukrainian capital, where he is now the president of American University Kyiv

J. D. Vancesenator

I don't really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another."

Vice President-elect JD Vance has also criticized US support for Ukraine, and said

Trump is absolutely unpredictable in his ideas about the war,

Holubenko told BI, pointing to his last administration's provision of lethal aid to Ukraine, but also his interactions with Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un

Yes, we can. The question is only the 'price.'

Asked whether Ukraine could defend itself effectively if Trump reduced US aid, Oleh Holubenko, a captain in Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, told BI

I hope the new administration recognizes the strength and cunning of the Ukrainian spirit, and considers their usefulness in maintaining security in this part of the globe,

he said

Sergei Shoigusecurity Council

Now, when the situation in the theatre of combat is not in Kyiv's favour, the West is faced with a choice,

Shoigu said at a meeting with defence officials of other former Soviet states

To continue financing (Kyiv) and the destruction of the Ukrainian population or recognise the current realities and start negotiating,

the former defence minister said

The attack took place in waves, from different directions, with drones entering the city at different altitudes – both very low and high,

the city administration said

Israel will finally have proper, overt support to fight against terrorists, keeping us all safe and pushing back against some of the audacity of the Hamas loving protesters.”

As former MEP Alex Phillips stated

Strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace."

The Ukrainian said

I would get [Putin] into a room. I’d get Zelensky into a room. Then I’d bring them together. And I’d have a deal worked out."

In September, he said

The administration plans to push forward … to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible,

a senior Biden administration official told the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity in a report published on Thursday

That’s going to be a problem when you go forward with additional funding for Ukraine, which at some point is going to be necessary,

said Scott Anderson, a fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution

Donald Trumppresident

I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.”

Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on his “impressive election victory”, adding