Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky urges Trump to back Kyiv as Kremlin says ‘let’s see’ if he helps end war
The Kremlin takes cautious stance after Donald Trump’s US victory
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Donald Trump, who will return to the White House, and urged the Republican to keep supporting Kyiv against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
With concerns rising that support for Ukraine could diminish under a second Trump administration, Mr Zelensky praised Mr Trump's "peace through strength" philosophy, calling it t a just peace for Ukraine. Mr Trump has said he would look to end the Ukraine war as soon as possible, with Kyiv wary that he will push for it to give up territory to Moscow.
The Kremlin, in contrast, has reacted cautiously to Mr Trump’s victory. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has "no illusions" about the new Republican president, adding that the US remains an "unfriendly" country directly involved in the war against Russia.
"We have repeatedly said that the U.S. is able to contribute to the end of this conflict. Will this happen, and if so, how ... we will see after [Mr Trump’s inauguration] January."
Meanwhile, Ukraine has reported “small-scale” clashes with North Korean troops in Kursk, marking their first battlefield confrontation with Kim Jong Un’s soldiers, defence minister Rustem Umerov said.
PINNED | Trump wins US election: What has the Kremlin said?
The Kremlin has responded cautiously following Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election.
Officials suggested that while Trump’s rhetoric on ending the Ukraine war was noteworthy, it remains to be seen if it will translate into tangible policy changes.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made clear that, despite Trump's campaign promises to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, Russia viewed the US as an "unfriendly" state that remained deeply involved in the conflict.
"Let us not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country, which is both directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state," Mr Peskov told reporters, adding that Moscow would wait to see if Trump’s statements on Ukraine would result in concrete actions.
Despite the continued animosity, Russian state media during the election campaign showed a clear preference for Trump, suggesting some hope in Moscow that his administration could be more amenable to dialogue than the current one.
Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and a former Goldman Sachs banker with prior contacts to Trump’s team, said that a Trump presidency could offer a "new opportunity" for a reset in US-Russia relations.
Pictured: Street art appears at Independence Square in Kyiv
MP claims ‘expendable’ Russians used to exhaust Ukraine’s soldiers
A Russian MP has sparked outrage after boasting that Moscow uses “expendable” troops to deplete Ukraine’s strongest soldiers, describing them as "meat" to be "ground up" in battle.
Alexander Borodai, a member of President Vladimir Putin's ruling party, made the controversial remarks about Russia’s irregular military units, often made up of soldiers who sign short-term contracts with the state or regional authorities.
These fighters, who typically earn salaries well above Russia’s average wage, are viewed in Moscow as dispensable, according to Mr Borodai.
Attacking the recruits, he said: "These people have no social value,. They’re bought, like meat."
He added that their primary role was to "exhaust enemy forces" while other Russian units prepared for major offensives.
"No one expects these forces to achieve anything. They are simply human resources being expended,” he said.
The MP claimed that the war had forced Ukraine to send "young, strong, healthy" men against Russia’s "spare" troops, depleting Kyiv’s reserves.
The average age of a Ukrainian soldier is now estimated to be 45.
Pictured: Ukrainian troops attack Russian positions in Kharkiv
Mapped: Where has Russia made advances on the frontline in Ukraine?
Mapped: Where has Russia made advances on the frontline in Ukraine?
Ukraine’s military say the hottest fighting along the roughly 640-mile frontline is taking place on the outskirts of the eastern city of Selydove
ICYMI: American convicted on drug-related charges in Russia loses appeal
American convicted on drug-related charges in Russia loses appeal
A court in the Russian capital has rejected an American citizen’s appeal against against his sentence on drug-related charges
Pictured: Russian man holds single picket against the US policy in Ukraine
ICYMI: UN chief ‘very concerned’ about North Korean troops in Russia
UN chief ‘very concerned’ about North Korean troops in Russia
UN chief says North Korean boots in Russia ‘represent a very dangerous escalation’
Ukrainian soldiers on Kyiv’s front react to Trump’s election with cautious hope
On the front lines of Ukraine’s eastern conflict, soldiers are still focused on survival.
Amid the daily barrage of Russian fire, a 39-year-old artillery commander known only as Mozart is wary of the political shifts sweeping across the Atlantic.
The news of Donald Trump’s victory in the United States presidential election reached them through brief updates from journalists, but their main concern remains unchanged: the flow of military aid from Washington.
"We don’t care who is president, as long as they don’t cut us off," Mozart said. "We need weapons, we need support."
Mr Trump’s return to the White House raises troubling questions for Ukraine, which has depended on US assistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Under Mr Trump’s first term, the US sent Ukraine crucial weapons, like Javelin anti-tank missiles, but his stance on foreign entanglements - coupled with his history of praise for Vladimir Putin - has sparked fears that support for Ukraine might dwindle under his leadership.
The new Republican President has repeatedly said he could broker peace between Ukraine and Russia within a day if elected, but he has yet to clarify how such a deal would be achieved.
In pictures: Ukraine reacts to Trump’s US election win
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments