Zelensky congratulated Trump on Wednesday for a “great election victory.” At the same time, he wrote on social networks that he admired Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach to global political issues. This is “exactly the principle that can practically bring a just peace closer to Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, the first happy reactions came from Russia. “Hallelujah,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel. The winner is the one who loves his country, she said, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan. Traditionally, the power apparatus in Moscow has been more open to Republicans than to Democrats in the US.
Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
President of Ukraine Zelenskyj and Trump meeting at the end of September on the occasion of Zelenskyj’s US trip
Peskov: United States of America “unfriendly country”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin, to his knowledge, did not plan to congratulate Trump. It should not be forgotten that the United States is an “unfriendly country” towards Russia. Moscow is closely monitoring and analyzing statements made by American politicians about Russia, Peskov said. Relations between the two countries are at an all-time low and it is almost impossible for them to deteriorate. It remains to be seen whether the US will change the course of its foreign policy when Trump takes office in January.
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The Taliban hopes for better relations with the United States of America
According to their own statement, the Taliban who rule Afghanistan are looking forward to a “new chapter” in their relationship with the US after Trump’s election victory. The future US administration under Trump is expected to take “realistic steps towards concrete progress in relations between the two countries,” he said.
NATO looks forward to Trump’s leadership role
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed hope for Trump’s leadership role in NATO on Wednesday: “His leadership will once again be the key to maintaining the strength of our alliance,” Rutte wrote. Trump threatened NATO allies to end the aid agreement against Russia if they did not increase their defense spending.
Von der Leyen: A partnership between our communities
The EU’s top representatives congratulated Trump and at the same time expressed hope for good cooperation. “The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are bound by a
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, made a similar statement on behalf of the heads of state and government of the member states, but he also warned Trump not to break the rules and leave him alone. “The EU will pursue its course in line with its strategic agenda as a strong, united, competitive and dominant partner, defending the rules-based multilateral system,” he wrote.
Nehammer: Continue to expand relationships together
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) congratulated Trump. “The US is an important strategic partner for Austria,” said Nehammer, who is currently representing Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen as head of state after he served. ”We look forward to further expanding and strengthening our transatlantic relationships together to successfully address global challenges,” he said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was the first person from Europe to congratulate Trump. “On the way to a beautiful victory,” Orban wrote on Facebook the night Trump’s victory slowly became apparent. The right-wing nationalist confirmed on Wednesday that Trump had made “the greatest comeback” in US political history and spoke of a ”necessary victory for the world”. Orban openly supported Trump’s presidential candidacy.
Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated and at the same time expressed his belief that it would strengthen ties between the two countries. The Government and heads of state from the Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries Denmark, Norway and Sweden also congratulated.
Netanyahu: The greatest comeback in history
Congratulations also came from Israel. “Dear Donald and Melania Trump, congratulations on the greatest comeback in history,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. Trump’s “historic return to the White House” means “a new beginning for America and a powerful commitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.” Netanyahu said: ”This is a huge victory!”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on X: His “friend” Trump won the presidential election after a big fight. With Trump’s election, a “new era” begins, Erdogan wrote. He hopes that this will strengthen the relationship between Turkey and the US and will put an end to regional and global crises and wars, especially the Palestinian issue and the war between Russia and Ukraine. The prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand also expressed their congratulations.
Meanwhile, China expressed caution. The election is an internal matter and the people’s decision is respected, Foreign Office spokesman Mao Ning said this afternoon (local time). China will manage the relationship with the United States on the principle of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Relations between the world’s two largest economies are at a low point.
Time.news Interview: The Implications of Donald Trump’s Election Victory with Foreign Policy Expert Dr. Natalia Karpenko
Editor: Good morning, Dr. Karpenko! Thank you for joining us today. The recent U.S. election has stirred quite a reaction globally. President Zelensky of Ukraine congratulated Donald Trump on his victory, highlighting his “peace through strength” approach. How significant is this endorsement for Ukraine considering its ongoing conflict with Russia?
Dr. Karpenko: Good morning, and thank you for having me. Zelensky’s congratulations are very strategic. He recognizes that Trump’s tough stance towards Russia might be beneficial for Ukraine’s security. The “peace through strength” rhetoric resonates in the context of Ukraine’s efforts to combat Russian aggression. Trump’s administration in the past provided military aid to Ukraine, and Zelensky is likely hoping for a continuation or even an escalation of support in the future.
Editor: Indeed, the reactions from Russia have also been notable. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed positivity about Trump’s win, suggesting a preference for Republicans in power. What does this reveal about U.S.-Russia relations moving forward?
Dr. Karpenko: It’s an intriguing dynamic. Russia traditionally views Republican administrations as more favorable, partly because of the rhetoric surrounding national interests and direct confrontation. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s remarks about the U.S. being an “unfriendly country” suggest that any optimism from Russia could be misplaced. If Trump leverages his electoral victory to push back against Russian moves in Ukraine and elsewhere, it could deepen tensions yet again.
Editor: As we consider NATO, Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed hope for Trump’s leadership role. How does Trump’s approach potentially impact NATO, especially regarding defense spending?
Dr. Karpenko: Trump’s past statements on NATO have created ripple effects across Europe, especially regarding defense commitments. His suggestion that NATO allies should increase their spending put pressure on these nations to meet their obligations. Under his leadership, we might see a more transactional approach to NATO partnerships, where support is tied closely to defense spending commitments. This could lead to increased defense budgets in member states but also fuel debates on the overall purpose and unity of the alliance.
Editor: Turning to the Taliban, their cautious optimism about Trump’s election signals interesting possibilities. Can we truly expect a shift in U.S.-Taliban relations under Trump?
Dr. Karpenko: While the Taliban’s statements reflect a desire for improved relations, the reality is complex. Trump’s previous administration made attempts to engage with the Taliban, but any future relationship will hinge on how both sides define their terms for cooperation. If Trump sees strategic benefit in re-engaging with the Taliban, it could result in a pragmatic dialogue. However, given the historical context and the Taliban’s recent actions, skepticism about their commitments remains warranted.
Editor: The reception from EU leaders was also notable; they expressed the hope for strong ties despite emphasizing the need to uphold multilateralism. How might Trump’s leadership challenge this dynamic?
Dr. Karpenko: The EU is understandably cautious. Trump’s “America First” policy during his last term made many in Europe anxious about the U.S.’s commitment to multilateral agreements. The EU will likely seek to maintain its course regardless of U.S. leadership, emphasizing the necessity of a rules-based international system. If Trump prioritizes bilateral agreements over multilateral cooperation, it could result in fractures within transatlantic relations.
Editor: Lastly, Chancellor Karl Nehammer of Austria emphasized the importance of expanding transatlantic relationships. What role do you see European leaders playing in encouraging a constructive relationship with the new U.S. administration?
Dr. Karpenko: European leaders will play a critical role in defining the post-Trump geopolitical landscape. By engaging proactively and emphasizing shared strategic interests, they can attempt to guide the U.S. towards a more collaborative approach. However, each leader’s approach may differ. For example, right-wing leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orban may align closely with Trump, while others could push back against his policies if they conflict with EU interests. The key will be dialogue and maintaining unity among European states.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Karpenko, for these insightful perspectives on a rapidly evolving international landscape. It appears we have much to watch for as Trump’s presidency unfolds.
Dr. Karpenko: Thank you for having me! The coming months will certainly be pivotal, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these critical issues.