Ukraine-Russia war will end 'faster' when Trump takes over as US president, claims Zelensky

Donald Trump’s victory in the American election means the war in will end sooner than expected – and could be over next year, Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky has told his country.

The Ukrainian president said the conflict with “will end faster with the policy of this team that will now lead the White House”. He explained: “This is their approach, their promise to their society, and it is also very important to them.”

And the Ukraine leader urged his team to push for peace, saying: “We must do everything to ensure through diplomatic means.” Trump, elected earlier this month for a second term as US president, has repeatedly claimed the war would never have started if he had been in charge when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

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In July, he said he could end it in one day, but did not say how. And throughout his election campaign, he and running mate JD Vance cast doubts on continued US commitment to Kyiv.

Russia has been making gains in eastern and southeastern Ukraine and is moving closer to key hubs like the city of Kurakhove. Tyrant ’s forces also claim to have captured two more settlements in the Donetsk region, although Ukraine has not confirmed this.

President Zelensky admitted the situation on eastern battlefields was “difficult” in an interview on Ukraine radio. But he said Russian advances had come at a very heavy price, as Putin’s military is losing up to 2,000 troops every day.

He added: “These are terrible losses. They cannot keep advancing with such losses.” It is estimated up to 160,000 Russian troops have been killed in the war, and 500,000 have been wounded. Ukraine has lost close to 70,000 troops.