Washington: Donald Trump is set to return to the White House, and in his victory speech, he made a bold promise, to end wars around the world. While he didn’t specify which conflicts he would target, geopolitical experts are speculating that Ukraine and Israel might be at the forefront of his efforts.
“I’m not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars,” Trump declared, highlighting his record of avoiding major conflicts during his first term.
Trump says he will stop the wars. pic.twitter.com/xE95EMfAmg
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) November 6, 2024
“We had no wars, for four years we had no wars. Except we defeated ISIS,” Mr Trump said.
Trump’s history, however, raises concerns for some, particularly in Ukraine. The country, locked in a brutal war against Russia, has been heavily reliant on US aid, which is crucial for its military and economy. Trump’s past statements and actions towards Ukraine, including his criticism of US support and his bold claims of ending the conflict within 24 hours, have fueled fears that his return to power could lead to a withdrawal of support.
“A Trump victory would create grave risks. The situation would be alarming,” expressed Oleg Shamshur, former Ukrainian ambassador to the US, reflecting the anxieties shared by many Ukrainians.
After nearly three years of war with Russia, Ukraine has leaned heavily on U.S. funding and military aid, with Washington being its most significant ally in the fight. However, Trump’s campaign promises to end the war in Ukraine “in one day” and his intention to halt military assistance have cast a shadow over the future of Ukrainian defense. With Russia intensifying its offensive and the threat of North Korean troops bolstering Russian forces, Ukrainian officials are now exploring other avenues for support within Western nations.
In a measured response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump’s approach to international diplomacy, emphasising the “peace through strength” philosophy that the former president advocates. Zelenskyy recalled a “great meeting” with Trump in September, where they discussed global security, and expressed optimism that this doctrine could bring about “just peace” for Ukraine. However, he also underscored the importance of continued bipartisan support from the United States, despite Trump’s anticipated policies.
“We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States,” Zelenskyy tweeted, further stressing Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the U.S. and promoting long-term peace and security in Europe. The Ukrainian president also signaled a readiness to engage directly with Trump to discuss ways to fortify the strategic alliance between their countries.
The war in Ukraine, coupled with Russia’s strengthening alliance with North Korea, has created a complex geopolitical landscape. Moscow’s alliance with Pyongyang is seemingly stronger than ever, with reports of thousands of North Korean troops deployed to Russia. This development, coupled with Trump’s ambiguous stance on Ukraine, has triggered unease within the Ukrainian government and its allies.
The US, under Trump’s first presidency, took a different approach to foreign policy. He withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, imposed tariffs on China, and held a historic summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un.
