- Ukrainian leader personally congratulates Trump on his victory
- Relations between Zelensky and Trump are volatile
- D. Trump scores a solid victory in a tight electoral battle
Ukrainian leader personally congratulates Trump on his victory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by telephone with US President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election victory. The Head of State announced this on his Telegram channel.
"I had a great conversation with President Trump and congratulated him on his historic victory - his brilliant campaign made this result possible. I commended his family and team for their excellent work," wrote Zelensky.
The two leaders agreed to maintain a close dialogue and promote bilateral cooperation.
"The strong and unwavering leadership of the United States is vital for the world and for a just peace", said Zelensky.
Immediately after the election results were announced, Mr. Zelensky congratulated Mr. Trump on social media and expressed his hope that "Ukraine will receive strong bipartisan support."
In his evening address to the people, President Zelensky reiterated his gratitude for the strong support of the United States throughout the war and urged the President-elect to continue to maintain a strong relationship with the country at war[1].
"In the areas of defence, the economy and the future after the war, we have the potential to work more closely together. This is what will make Ukraine, America and the entire free world more successful," said Zelensky.
V. Zelensky stressed that "it was extremely important for us in Ukraine and for the whole of Europe to hear the words of the then 45th President of the United States about peace through strength over and over again, and if this becomes a principle of the policy of the 47th President of the United States, it will certainly be to the benefit of America and of the whole world".
Relations between Zelensky and Trump are volatile
However, the history of the relationship between the future US President and the Ukrainian leader has been rather volatile, and is believed to have been particularly damaged by a major scandal that broke out back in 2019 over a phone call in which then-President Trump allegedly pressured Mr Zelensky to investigate his political rivals. This phone call led to the first impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump.
On the other hand, despite past tensions, the two leaders now realise that they will have to continue their cooperation, and in the hope of continued support, Zelensky continues to try to appeal to Trump with praise, for example by comparing his policies to those of former US President Ronald Reagan, who has been favourably received by the public so far.
"It is not for nothing that Ronald Reagan is mentioned so often these days - people want trust, they want freedom, they want a normal life. And for us, that means a life free from Russian aggression and with a strong America, a strong Ukraine, and strong allies," said Zelensky.
Moreover, the Ukrainian President shared his five-point victory plan for Ukraine earlier, at the end of September, during a meeting with Trump in New York. During the meeting, Zelensky also invited Trump to visit Ukraine, and Trump accepted.
D. Trump scores a solid victory in a tight electoral battle
Former President Trump has won the 2024 US presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump is now President-elect and will be formally inaugurated on 20 January 2025.
It was thought that this outcome of the US election could bring about changes around the world, but the US dollar has risen, bitcoin has jumped to a record high, and most stock markets have increased.
