D. Trump did not invite Zelensky to the inauguration, but does not bar him from attending

It seems that Zelensky is not the most welcome guest at the inauguration of the US President

Donald Trump, the soon-to-be second Republican leader of the United States, has caused a storm after declaring that he would not personally invite Zelensky to his inauguration while adding that he is not barred from attending.

This statement sparked a debate in political and diplomatic circles, as the US-Ukraine relationship is the most talked-about issue in the Ukrainian conflict with Russia. These statements by Trump come after speculation about Zelensky's attendance at the inauguration, and his team confirmed that no formal invitation had been sent^[1].

Critics wonder whether Trump's move signifies a change in his position on Ukraine, particularly regarding military aid and diplomatic support.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to pledge strong support for Ukraine, highlighting the stark contrast between Trump's approach and current US policy.

D. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on 20 January 2025 during an Inauguration Day ceremony at the US Capitol. The event will include the swearing-in of the Vice President, Trump's inaugural speech, and the ceremonial departure of outgoing President Biden, who has promised a peaceful transition of power^[2].

Ukraine worried about Trump's imminent arrival and started to "entrench" itself in Europe

Reacting to the soon-to-be radical changes in the political process, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rushed to Brussels to meet with NATO chief Mark Rutte and European leaders to discuss the "next steps" in the war against Russia.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other key leaders are reportedly attending the meeting, which is expected to focus on strengthening Ukraine's defence and securing a "just and lasting peace". Zelensky stressed the urgent need for more air defense systems and battlefield support to counter Russian attacks and maintain political momentum.

Proposals to send troops to Ukraine to supposedly secure a possible ceasefire, which in reality would only turn Europe into a war zone, are still on the table of European leaders. Fortunately, there is no rush to implement this idea just yet^[3].

NATO continues to focus on building up Ukraine's military capabilities, while concerns are growing about the possibility of less US support for Kyiv as soon as Trump returns to the White House and his promise to end the war between the two countries "within 24 hours".

V. Zelensky has hinted at a willingness to negotiate a ceasefire under the current rules if NATO provides strong security guarantees and sufficient arms, although NATO has not offered direct membership to Ukraine. However, although Zelensky declared his willingness to negotiate peace, his terms remained unchanged and threatened Russia. Thus, there is no flexibility in the rhetoric of the Ukrainian leader.

D. Trump has also criticized President Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use US long-range missiles against Russia, calling it 'stupid' and expressing disappointment that he was not consulted on it.

As winter approaches, the Russian military's achievements on the battlefield are becoming increasingly significant

For his part, Trump promised on Monday to talk to Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the nearly three-year war, calling the conflict a "massacre" and calling for immediate talks.

Trump's remarks at the Mar-a-Lago hotel came amid fears that Ukraine could come under pressure to make territorial concessions when he takes office in January. Trump criticized the Biden administration's heavy military aid to Kyiv, which increased further as the last chords of his term of office were struck.

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin celebrated significant achievements on the battlefield, declaring 2024 a "milestone year" for Moscow's military objectives. Russian forces are making rapid advances in eastern Ukraine, with Defence Minister Andrei Belousov saying that nearly 4,500 square kilometers of territory have been taken this year^[4].

Ukraine faces increasing challenges as winter approaches, including a paralyzed energy grid and an aggressive Russian offensive. There are also growing concerns about North Korean involvement - according to US and Ukrainian officials, more than 10,000 North Korean troops are reportedly supporting Russian troops.

However, the Polish Foreign Minister takes a slightly different stance and does not support Ukraine's concession in this case, as he believes that pressure to negotiate should be exerted on the aggressor, not on the victim.