Refer Report
The impact of Trump’s election on the Russian-Ukrainian front
A man is passing by a building in Ukraine’s Kurahove region, which was devastated by Russian military bombing on the 7th (local time). AP Yonhap News
As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s entry into the White House approaches, the battle between Russia and Ukraine is intensifying. The two countries are focusing on securing as much territory as possible to gain even the slightest advantage before the end-of-war negotiations, as suggested by President-elect Trump, begin. An increasingly gloomy atmosphere appears to be casting over Ukraine, which has been engaging in diplomatic warfare in all directions, appealing for support for the ‘victory plan’ right up until the US presidential election.
Armistice negotiations begin, Ukraine and Russia’s ‘land-fighting’ is life or death
According to the Kiev Independent, a Ukrainian media outlet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on the 11th (local time) that Ukrainian troops are fighting about 50,000 enemy troops in Kursk, mainland Russia. Ukrainian authorities believe that the Russian military has begun a full-fledged ‘war to recapture’ the Kursk region, which is partially occupied by a surprise attack last August, along with the North Korean army.
Fierce fighting between both sides is also taking place in key cities in eastern Ukraine. There are predictions that large-scale Russian attacks will soon resume on the southern front. Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Sirsky recently said, “We are facing the strongest Russian offensive (since the start of all-out war).”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President-elect Donald Trump. AFP Yonhap News
It is interpreted that President-elect Trump’s plan to end the war had an influence on the fierce battle between Russia and Ukraine. President-elect Trump has so far hinted that he may negotiate an end to the war based on the ‘current boundaries’. If this method is realized, it would be advantageous for both countries to secure at least a little more land.
Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territory. CNN analyzed that “Ukraine lost ground in October at a rate that is almost incomparable (to the past),” and that “Trump will enter the White House at perhaps the most dangerous time (for Ukraine) since the war began.” A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that the next four to five months will be a watershed in the war and that “this winter will be the decisive moment.”
Trump, North Korean military, Musk… Zelenskiy, ‘Mid-heavy Mountain’
Despite facing the burdensome situation of Trump’s election, President Zelensky has congratulated President-elect Trump and appealed for bipartisan support for Ukraine. The European edition of Politico, a political media outlet, said, “Ukrainian politicians, who have appealed to democratic values, are now continuously trying to figure out how to approach someone (President-elect Trump) who takes a harder-line approach,” and “President Zelenskyy.” He also commented, “It seemed like quick flattery was the answer.”
Despite President Zelenskyy’s passionate actions, the future is bleak. President-elect Trump’s eldest son, Trump Jr., who is considered a person who will play a ‘powerful’ role in Trump’s second administration, posted a video of President Zelenskyy with the phrase “38 days left until you lose your pocket money” on social media the day before. The original mocking video was posted by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a Republican, but speculation was raised that President-elect Trump may have been implying that he would cut off support for Ukraine as soon as he takes office.
Video post shared by Donald Trump Jr. on his Instagram. Instagram Capture
President Zelensky is also known to have a very uneasy relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has emerged as another of President-elect Trump’s ‘closest associates’. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who had shown support for Ukraine support, was mentioned as a candidate for Secretary of Defense, but was excluded from the second Trump administration. “The mood in Ukraine is very gloomy,” a senior Ukrainian diplomatic source told Reuters. “You can see growing frustration in President Zelenskyy’s recent comments.”
The Biden administration is trying to advance support to Ukraine, which was scheduled to be provided in April next year, to January, but it is unclear whether this will be realistically possible. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), there is not a large inventory of weapons to be delivered to Ukraine, and there is also speculation that President-elect Trump may put the brakes on it as it takes longer for the weapons to arrive in Ukraine. President Joe Biden plans to persuade President-elect Trump that support for Ukraine should be maintained at the White House meeting scheduled for the 13th.
Source: Korean