Trump may recognize Putin as a problem: Herbst explains what it would mean for Ukraine

The winner of the US presidential election, Donald Trump, is likely to try to persuade dictator Vladimir Putin to end the war, and if he fails, he will recognize the Kremlin leader as a "problem." In this case, Trump will help Ukraine in any way possible, including with weapons.

This opinion was expressed by John Herbst, Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine in 2003-2006, in an interview with Ukrainian media. "It is clear that Putin's goal is not so much to capture the whole of Ukraine but to take it under his control. And Zelenskyy understands this. I don't know if Trump understands this at the moment," he said.

According to Herbst, Trump believes that he will convince Putin and try to get him to end the war.

"If Trump's attempt fails, then he may conclude that Putin is the problem, and therefore he will help Ukraine in any way possible, including with weapons," the diplomat predicted.

He also reminded that there is currently talk of a 20-year moratorium on Ukraine's accession to NATO, which should be taken seriously, but Herbst believes that Trump may do otherwise if he is convinced that the Russian dictator is intransigent.

"If Trump makes a genuine effort to achieve peace and realizes that Putin doesn't want it, then Trump may reconsider the issue of Ukraine's membership in NATO," the former US ambassador said.

John Herbst also believes that Trump has the leverage to force Putin to stop the war and withdraw his troops from Ukraine:

"I believe Trump has the leverage to influence Putin. The question is whether he is ready to use them. Although he said he was ready... On the other hand, Trump also talks about a territorial compromise. Therefore, it is unclear how he can use his leverage and ensure that Russia leaves the occupied territories of Ukraine."

According to the diplomat, Putin is unlikely to voluntarily agree to leave the occupied territory of Ukraine.

"Unless it can happen in exchange for the Russian territory occupied by Ukraine," Herbst suggested.

As OBOZ.UA reported, on November 22, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held talks with Trump for the first time. During the meeting, they discussed global security issues.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that under Trump's presidency, the war would "end faster." According to the Ukrainian leader, he and Trump had a constructive interaction – he heard Ukraine's position and had nothing against it.

The Foreign Ministry said that they view Trump's victory as an important step toward peace and an additional chance to speed up the peace process.

According to some experts, Trump may use an unexpected approach to resolving the war in Ukraine – to give Ukrainians nuclear weapons.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!