Russians in Moscow cautiously welcomed the information of a projected victory for Donald Trump — who has blasted US help for Ukraine — hoping he would ship on guarantees to finish a battle that the Kremlin launched.
Trump, who has spoken of his good relations with President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly mentioned — with out elaborating — that he may convey a swift finish to the just about three-year battle.
The Kremlin has mentioned it will solely settle for a deal that concerned Ukraine surrendering huge swathes of territory.
“I hope that if Trump is elected in America, the situation in Ukraine will improve and develop,” mentioned Alexander, a 48-year-old engineer.
Trump has criticised the US sending billions of {dollars} in army help to assist Kyiv fend off advancing Russian forces.
However he has by no means given any element on what technique he would undertake and Moscow’s forces have superior quick in Ukraine for months.
Probably much less help to Ukraine
“If Trump is elected, at this point there will likely be less aid to Ukraine and a big change in domestic politics in the US,” 19-year-old scholar Yevgeny hoped.
One other scholar, 19-year-old Sergei, was additionally hoping for an finish to the battle, which has seen an enormous crackdown on dissent at residence and a significant wave of emigration.
“I believe that with Trump’s victory, the political situation in the world in general will change, including in our country,” he mentioned, referring to the battle in Ukraine.
“I would like it to be for the better of course,” he added.
Others had been extra cautious nevertheless. They argued that in Trump’s final time period in workplace, regardless of his declarations on drastically altering US coverage in the direction of Russia, little modified in apply.
Ivan, 50, mentioned he must wait and see what Trump can be like in workplace.
“Campaigning is one thing and actually sitting in the chair and taking action is quite another,” he mentioned.
Whereas one thing would change, he added, it was too early to say what.
For Yevgeny, a 70-year-old sculptor, it made no distinction who was on the helm in Washington, arguing that US attitudes in the direction of Russia transcended inner political variations.
“Kamala and Trump are completely the same,” he instructed AFP. “They don’t like Russians. And nothing good for us is going to come from either one, in my opinion.”
