How Donald Trump responds to the challenge presented by the Ukraine conflict will provide an important indication as to how his administration intends to address security challenges across the globe.
With conflicts raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and the potential threat posed by regimes in Iran, North Korea and China, world leaders will be taking a close interest in how Trump deals with the Ukraine issue to see if it provides any clues about his administration’s foreign policy approach.
During his presidential campaign—which resulted in his remarkable landslide victory—Trump made no secret of his scepticism about the Biden administration’s support for Kyiv, which is estimated to have cost American taxpayers in excess of $100bn. Trump has insisted that one of his first priorities on returning to the White House would be to end the war immediately and stem the ruinous drain on US resources.
One indication of the pivotal role the incoming Trump administration could play in ending the Ukraine conflict was reflected in the differing responses his stunning election victory prompted from the rival leaders in the war.
Mixed reception
While Trump has faced much criticism over his alleged warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, there was little hint of an accord between the two men in the Kremlin’s terse statement acknowledging Trump’s victory. Its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters that Putin was not planning any phone calls to Washington.
“We’re talking about an unfriendly country that is directly and indirectly involved in a war against our state,” Peskov said, referring to US support for Ukraine’s military campaign against the Russians.