Displaying items by tag: Volodymyr Zelensky

The reelection of Donald Trump could significantly impact US support for Ukraine as the war with Russia continues. Throughout his campaign, Trump expressed doubts about the USA’s ongoing commitment to Kyiv, suggesting the possibility of pressuring Ukraine into a truce with Russia. This comes at a critical time; Russia is making advances in the Donbas region, and North Korean troops are reportedly bolstering Russian forces. The Biden administration has provided tens of billions in military and financial aid to Ukraine, but Trump has often praised Vladimir Putin and criticised Volodymyr Zelensky. He has claimed that the war would not have started under his presidency, and has promised to end the conflict swiftly. Zelensky, who was quick to congratulate Trump on his victory, must be concerned about the potential implications for his beleaguered country: American military aid to Ukraine currently accounts for 43% of the total.

Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed optimism that the current battlefield dynamics could create a chance to end Russia’s invasion by 2025. Speaking at a summit meeting in Dubrovnik, Croatia, he highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s allies, particularly the USA, in achieving peace and long-term stability. He noted that October, November, and December present ‘a real chance’ for decisive action, but did not explain how that would happen. Russian forces now hold nearly 20% of Ukraine's territory, and are closing in on another key town, Toretsk. Zelensky also called for Ukraine’s integration into NATO as a means to strengthen its position in any potential negotiations with Russia. At the time of writing he is in London, to meet Keir Starmer and Mark Rutte, NATO’s secretary general, and will then fly to Rome to meet Pope Francis.

In his first visit to Ukraine for ten years, Viktor Orban has called for a ceasefire. A longstanding critic of Western military aid to Ukraine, he suggested that a swift ceasefire could expedite peace talks. He also expressed a desire to improve ties with Ukraine and offered economic assistance. Zelensky appreciated his visit, but stressed the need for a ‘just peace’ after over two years of fighting. Orban’s visit coincides with Hungary’s assumption of the EU presidency, which has raised concerns due to Budapest’s warm ties with Moscow. In the past, Hungary has accused Ukraine of curbing the rights of ethnic Hungarians, which Kyiv denies. Zelensky has recently said he is preparing a comprehensive plan for ending the war.

Joe Biden will not be at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland on 15 and 16 June; instead, vice-president Kamala Harris and national security advisor Jake Sullivan will attend. The decision comes despite Biden’s attendance at France's D-Day anniversary celebrations and a G7 meeting in Italy in the next few days; on 15 June he will be at a Hollywood fundraising event. However, the White House stated that no other national leader had done more to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and peace. Over a hundred countries have promised to attend the summit, but some key states - notably China - have decided not to do so because Russia has not been invited. Volodymyr Zelensky criticised these decisions, and stressed the importance of Biden's presence for influencing other leaders. Meanwhile, Russian dissident Boris Kagarlitsky has been sent back to prison after only two months of freedom for his continuing opposition to the war. See

Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has struggled with endemic corruption, a battle seen as crucial for its war against Russia. Transparency International now ranks it 104th out of 180 countries, its highest position since 2006. Recent developments have been the arrests of supreme court head Vsevolod Knyazev, agriculture minister Mykola Solsky, and SBU officer Artem Shylo, though all deny wrongdoing and are out on bail. A pivotal development was the 2015 launch of Prozorro, a digital platform which reduced corruption in government procurement, saving nearly $6 billion in four years. With substantial Western aid flowing in, ensuring proper control is critical. Corruption has not only drained resources but also hindered foreign aid and military recruitment (many Ukrainians have bribed their way out of the country to avoid conscription). Last year, Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed regional conscription officials amid bribery scandals.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, a Russian assassination plot against Volodymyr Zelensky has been thwarted and two men arrested. They supposedly intended to kidnap and kill the president and other top officials as a ‘gift’ to Vladimir Putin before his inauguration. The two men were allegedly recruited by Russia before the invasion and tasked with coordinating a rocket attack. They face charges of treason and preparing a terrorist act. Russia’s defence ministry has not yet responded to the allegations. Meanwhile, on 7 May Russia launched more than seventy missiles and drones against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The attack was directed at facilities in Kyiv and six other cities. Moscow continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the hope of denting industry and public appetite for fighting back against its invasion. See