Did Ukraine just lose the war? As polls opened in the US earlier this week, Ukrainians 6,000 miles away waited for millions of distant voters to decide their future. Some say the outcome looks bleak.
Putin set to gain from America’s vote
Did Ukraine just lose the war? As polls opened in the US earlier this week, Ukrainians 6,000 miles away waited for millions of distant voters to decide their future. Some say the outcome looks bleak.
Russian soldiers are advancing in Ukraine at their fastest rate since 2022. In the southern part of the country, Russia has seized as much as 18% of Ukraine's territory.
But a far more important strategic victory may be in the works for Russia. Donald Trump's shock victory in the US elections could spell the end of the war in Ukraine, which Trump boasted he would end "in 24 hours".
The USA is Ukraine's largest benefactorA person who gives money to help a cause or an individual. in military and financial terms. Trump has said repeatedly that his priority is to stop the war to end the drain on American resources.
But his pledge to build peace in a day on the back of a decade-long conflict - starting with Russia's taking control of Crimea in 2014 - has not been received well by Ukrainians, who worry that a "peace" settlement would force them to accept Russian occupation.
Trump has refused to say how he would end the war, but the "peace deal" suggested by his aides had Ukraine giving up lots of land in the east of the country.
Future Vice-President JD Vance said he "does not really care what happens to Ukraine, one way or another".
Did Ukraine just lose the war?
Yes! Trump has made it a policy priority to end the war, and has boasted about it endlessly.
No! We must have faith in the Ukrainian people to continue persisting in impossible circumstances, as they have done so far.
Putin set to gain from America’s vote
Glossary
Benefactor - A person who gives money to help a cause or an individual.