Donald Trump has vowed to bring a swift end to the war in Ukraine – but has not yet said how he will do it.
Today, the Kremlin was euphoric at his re-election.
With Russian President Vladimir Putin having enjoyed a good relationship with Mr Trump, Moscow described the returning US president as “useful”.
But the return to power of the home-spending Republican could spell the end of much of the military aid funding for Kyiv.
Mr Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being the “greatest salesman on earth” for securing tens of billions of dollars in weapons and other assistance that Washington has given to Kyiv.
That flow of military aid is the biggest reason that Ukraine has managed to withstand the might of Russia’s army for almost 1,000 days.
And if the supply is halted by Mr Trump, military strategists fear Ukraine could inexorably start to lose the conflict and no longer be able to keep Russian forces at bay.
President Zelensky was quick to congratulate the Republican leader’s imminent return to power – but added a thinly veiled plea to continue helping his forces with US funding.
“Congratulations to Donald Trump on his impressive election victory,” said Mr Zelensky.
“I recall our great meeting with President Trump back in September, when we discussed in detail the Ukraine-U.S. strategic partnership, the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs.
“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.
“We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”
But he added: “We are interested in developing mutually beneficial political and economic cooperation that will benefit both of our nations. Ukraine, as one of Europe’s strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring long-term peace and security in Europe and the Transatlantic community with the support of our allies.
“I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the United States.”
As it became clear that Mr Trump was being returned to the White House by the American electorate, the Kremlin expressed its glee.
And Putin’s mouthpiece Dmitry Medvedev – a Russian ex-president – led predictions of growing woe for Mr Zelensky.
“Trump has one quality that is useful for us,” he said.
Referring to Ukraine, he said: “As a businessman to the bone, he is deadly averse to spending money on various minions and acolytes – on moronic allies, on bad charitable projects, and on voracious international organisations.
“Toxic Bandera Ukraine is in the same line.
“The question is how much Trump will be forced to give for the war.”
Trump was “stubborn”, but the US “system” may be “stronger”, he added.
“Either way, today the green scum in Kyiv will be buried up to their ears.”
Putin’s leading woman propagandist Margarita Simonyan – head of broadcaster RT, and sanctioned by the US during the campaign for interfering in the US election – posted: “Trump won. Go to bed, team.”
Major state-controlled Russian 24 channel devoted almost all its coverage to the US election between midnight and 9am in Moscow.
The outlet gleefully posted a picture of Mr Zelensky with the line: “On social network X, they found someone who definitely lost from the results of today’s US presidential election.”
Kremlin-funded Readovka media outlet enthusiastically showed a meme video of a weeping Kamala Harris crowning a triumphant Donald Trump.
The Putin playbook has long suggested that Ukraine is controlled by the US – but that changes are afoot.
