Why some Ukrainians welcome Donald Trump’s return to the White House

Andrew Pryma: People just want the war to end, are tired of corruption, and understand the Biden administration was afraid of Russia losing.

“That is a war that's dying to be settled. I will get it settled before I even become president.” — Donald Trump, on Sept. 10, 2024, in a debate with Kamala Harris about the Russia-Ukraine war.

Editor’s Note: This is a guest opinion by Andrew Pryma, the Ukrainian-American founder and publisher of the popular Ukraine Business News website.

BY ANDREW PRYMA

Despite the intense opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump among some in Ukraine, there is support for the Republican’s return to the White House among three categories of Ukrainians. Here they are and their reasons:

People who are at the frontlines

The people at the frontline do not see any progress or positive trends, and they are losing hope to win this war. When we had people wanting to win the war, they did not have weapons or sufficient support. All they see are their friends dying daily.

While at war, they see daily how politicians keep making millions and recruitment centers making millions, helping people avoid joining the army due to made-up illnesses and fake test results.

The people at the frontlines are disappointed with the low number of weapons, money, supply, and corruption. My uncle complained and pointed out numerous bribery cases. If you don't want to go to the trenches, you can pay your superior officer Hr 30,000 ($800) monthly and stay on the second line. 

My uncle and his two sons were recruited in the second month of the war. They kept on telling me how corrupt most of the army people were. Also, after 2.5 years, there is no hope they will be discharged until the war ends.

People’s perception at the front: if you get recruited, it's a one-way road. Most of the people in the army do not want Donetsk, Luhansk, or other occupied territories. They do not care anymore. They are tired. 

According to official government figures, over 50,000 soldiers left their units without permission. They wanted to go home to their wives and children. Everyone wants to go home. Everyone wants to live. 

People who are away from the frontlines

Civilians are scared as hell. Nobody wants to get recruited and die. Some men have not left their homes for 6 months up to 1 year. Their wives bring food and everything they need. They don't want Donbas; they don't want Luhansk. They know that the victory will not change anything for them or Ukraine, especially not our political system. Politicians keep making money, buying expensive cars, and having fun in the center of Kyiv. 

People not directly affected by the war

They are safe, and these are mostly the people who want to get back to the borders of 1991 or 2022 and are very patriotic. Their families do not die, struggle, or suffer. They freely travel to European Union countries for shopping and other needs.

Conclusion

Most people want the war to be over. My observation is that 70-80% of people want the war to be over as soon as possible.  Most people do not care how it will end; most importantly, it needs to be ended. 

This is a very unpopular topic, and nobody wants to discuss it. Some people are even afraid to say it. They will not discuss unpopular topics and tell the truth out loud.

That is why people are happy to see Trump winning. People want to get their lives back on 75% of Ukrainian territories, normal lives with their man at home, the ability to travel, or at least go outside of their apartments. They do not believe President Volodymyr Zelensky will win this war. His government is unprofessional. Most people like Zelensky. I also like him and what he has done for Ukraine. But people around him are still crooks and half of them are from the old political groups that have been in politics for 10-15 years. It’s hard to change Ukraine when only a few people truly want it. 

What I am hearing from most people

Democrats in the last year showed support for Ukraine but failed to provide all the tools for us to win the war, including weapons or funds. It was like, “Hey, I will give you a gun to protect your land, but without bullets.” 

The Joe Biden administration or Kamala Harris will not allow us to win. With all their restrictions or slow supplies, they will bleed Ukraine for another 3-4 years until we agree to anything Vladimir Putin asks.

With this strategy, Ukraine will have no men left in the country. It was obvious that they were afraid Russia would lose more than Ukraine would win. People want Trump or whoever comes to power just to end it. That's why people are happy to see him becoming a new president. 

My opinion

With the Trump administration, it will be different. 

Option 1: He will stop the war tomorrow where the frontline is. Trust me, some Ukrainians will complain, but most people will agree to that in a few months, and all the hate and disagreements will fade away. People will accept that as a fact and a new reality. 

Option 2: Trump will lend more money to Ukraine. He might give Zelensky one chance to win it, but he will give him a timeframe. If we cannot do it within one year, he will cut funding and end the war where the frontline is.

Either way, people will at least see some changes and hope to end the war.