The prospect of declining U.S. support for Ukraine will embolden Russia to attempt to make additional territorial gains on the battlefield and increase domestic political and social pressure on Kyiv to negotiate a ceasefire with Moscow. Russia reacted to Donald Trump's electoral victory with celebrations in Moscow and positive statements by Russian officials, with many claiming that it would at least open the door to an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The chairman of the Russian State Duma's Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said that "with Trump's victory in the elections, there is a chance for a more constructive approach to the Ukrainian conflict from the Republicans." In the meantime, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump on his victory, recalling their "wonderful meeting with President Trump in September, when we discussed in detail the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, the plan for victory, and ways...
