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On November 5, Ukrainian government officials watched anxiously as American citizens elected the next president of the United States. During the campaign, President-elect Trump that he could end the Russo-Ukrainian war in a day. He also said that the Ukrainians should be with the Russians and that there . How do Ukrainian officials perceive the results of the election? What do Ukrainians think a second Trump administration will mean for US-Ukraine relations?

Responses from Ukraine鈥檚 Current and Former Presidents

First, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Following the announcement that Trump had been elected for a second term, the Ukrainian president quickly called the president-elect to congratulate him on his victory.

鈥淐ongratulations to Donald Trump on his impressive election victory!鈥� Zelensky on his X account. 鈥淚 recall our great meeting with President Trump in September, where we discussed in detail the Ukraine-US strategic partnership, the Victory Plan [for Ukraine], and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine. I appreciate President Trump鈥檚 commitment to the 鈥榩eace through strength鈥� approach in global affairs. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.鈥�

As president of Ukraine, Zelensky has worked with Trump and knows the incoming president well. Zelensky hopes the two leaders will continue building positive US-Ukraine relations during Trump鈥檚 second term.

Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, who leads the European Solidarity party, also congratulated President-elect Trump on his victory. Poroshenko, who also worked with Trump during his first administration, said he the United States and Ukraine would be 鈥渁ble to put an end to Russia鈥檚 war of aggression against Ukraine and the entire free world.鈥� Poroshenko added that he believed the 鈥渟trategic partnership between Kyiv and Washington will be further strengthened in the interests of peace, security, and stability in a world based on rules, not force.鈥�

Responses from Ministers and Elected Officials

While President Zelensky and former president Poroshenko quickly congratulated Trump, other Ukrainian officials have been more cautious in reacting to the news. These individuals have stated they are unsure what the election results will mean for the US-Ukraine relationship.

鈥淭rump brings new risks and opportunities for Ukraine,鈥� former Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs Dmytro Kuleba. 鈥淚t now depends on the skill of the Ukrainian government to minimize the former and maximize the latter.鈥� In the meantime, Kuleba proposed that remaining 鈥渃alm鈥� was best, given all the uncertainty.

Similarly, Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada鈥檚 Committee on Foreign Affairs, that 鈥淭rump鈥檚 victory means both a challenge and an opportunity鈥� for Ukraine. He hoped Ukraine鈥檚 relationship with the United States would grow during Trump鈥檚 second presidency.

Finally, there are Ukrainian elected officials who are wary of a second Trump presidency. While some Ukrainians have welcomed Trump鈥檚 presidency, believing it will bring a swifter end to Russia鈥檚 invasion, others are less certain.

For example, Mykola Kniazhytskyi, a lawmaker from Poroshenko鈥檚 European Solidarity party, argued that Trump鈥檚 鈥渟tatements during the election campaign . . . could not be perceived positively in Ukraine.鈥� He that he did not 鈥渞ule out the possibility that the U.S. aid to Ukraine [could] be reduced.鈥�

Volodymyr Aryev, a colleague of Kniazhytskyi from the same European Solidarity party, . 鈥淲e [cannot] forget about [Trump鈥檚] foreign policy announcements made before the election,鈥� he said. In his view, President-elect Trump is 鈥渦npredictable.鈥�

Soldiers and Citizens

Aside from these politicians, some Ukrainian soldiers and citizens are about a Trump presidency. Many are that a second Trump term will lead to a decline in aid to Ukraine. These servicemen and women, as well as civilians by various media outlets, Ukraine to be forced into peace negotiations with Russia.

Thousands of Ukrainian lives have been lost during the Russian invasion. To date, one-fourth of Ukraine鈥檚 population remains displaced. Countless cities, villages, and towns have been destroyed, and it is estimated that it will cost over $1 trillion to rebuild Ukraine. Given this degree of death and destruction, Ukrainians want nothing more than the war to end.

But most Ukrainians argue that wanting the war to end does not mean they should capitulate to Russia. Instead, most Ukrainians that the only way to end the Russian invasion is by forcing the Russians entirely out of Ukraine. They any other outcome. Many Ukrainians, therefore, are wary of Trump鈥檚 proposed peace plans as they are unsure what such plans might entail.

A Spectrum of Opinion on the Future U.S.-Ukraine Relationship

In short, there appears to be a wide variety of opinions within Ukraine about what a second Trump presidency will mean for US-Ukraine relations. Some believe it will be an opportunity to strengthen this relationship, and these politicians and individuals look forward to cooperating with the second Trump administration. Others are cautious in their responses to the news, ensuring they do not set expectations as they engage in this new relationship. Finally, some Ukrainians view the election of Trump as a doom-and-gloom scenario for Ukraine.

Given these differing opinions, no one knows how the US-Ukraine relationship will unfold during a second Trump presidency. Perhaps Ukraine鈥檚 first deputy chairman of the Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy Committee, Yaroslav Zhelezniak, has said it best. 

鈥淓veryone is asking how [Trump] will influence [America鈥檚 relationship] with Ukraine,鈥� Zhelezniak . 鈥淔rom my point of view . . . we don鈥檛 know what it means, better or worse.鈥�

Time will tell how the US-Ukraine relationship will unfold. The only way to learn what this will mean is to be patient and wait to see what unfolds.

The opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author and do not reflect the views of the Kennan Institute.