Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba delivered a stark warning about the potential consequences of Donald Trump’s presidency on Ukraine’s war effort, expressing deep skepticism over Trump’s promises of a swift peace deal.
In an interview, Kuleba argued that Trump’s lack of detailed plans and his inclination to starve Kyiv of weapons could lead to catastrophic outcomes for Ukraine.
“Putin still believes he can crush Ukraine and expose the West as weak,” Kuleba stated, dismissing the possibility of Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to diplomacy. He added that Trump’s proposed deal might involve Ukraine conceding territory, a move Kuleba deemed politically and constitutionally impossible for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Kuleba lamented the inconsistent support from Ukraine’s Western allies, contrasting their hesitance with North Korea’s willingness to send troops to aid Russia. He warned that a reduction in U.S. military aid under Trump could cause Ukraine’s defenses to crumble, allowing Russian forces to advance deeper into the country.
While acknowledging some European nations’ willingness to step up, Kuleba cast doubt on Germany’s commitment due to its domestic political challenges. He also criticized the West’s lack of a clear strategic goal in supporting Ukraine, saying, “You can’t win a war where the enemy knows its goals, but your allies don’t know what they’re fighting for.”
Despite his grim outlook, Kuleba speculated that Putin might overstep, potentially alienating Trump, which could inadvertently benefit Ukraine. However, he cautioned against relying on such uncertainties, emphasizing the dire need for consistent Western backing to sustain Ukraine’s fight
