KIEV Colorful maple leaves gently float towards the ground in a park in Kyiv. However, the atmosphere in the city is oppressive.
The whole world is anxiously following the results of the US presidential elections, but in Ukraine the elections are followed with downright fearful emotions. According to many, they determine the fate of the entire country.
– After these elections, we will know what the future of Ukraine is, 17-year-old university student Konstantin Savinskyi says.
Ukrainians are particularly gnawed by uncertainty about the future. According to some, the country is now living its darkest moment since the beginning of the war of aggression against Russia.
Taras Shevchenko those walking in the park Oleksandr Yaroshenko and Viktor Mesan say they just discussed the US election.
– The fact that there are elections in the United States right now is the worst option from our point of view. Now the support is stopped. They promised to help, gave their word. And in the meantime, our blood flows, says Mesan.
Mesan’s view reflects the bleak situation of Ukrainians.
These Kyivites couldn’t decide which would be a better option for Ukraine:
Russia is advancing on the eastern front the fastest since the start of the war of aggression in 2022. This may be partially explained by the chaos caused by the US elections, which weakens the country’s ability to act in helping Ukraine.
Russia presumably wants to take advantage of the situation.
Ukrainians are only interested in one thing in the elections: which of the candidates would support Ukraine more strongly?
Many think of the Democrats Horrible Harris to be a safer option. Ukrainians believe that his Ukraine policy is more stable than Trump’s, but few consider him a particularly good option either.
– Harris would probably continue on Biden’s line, says the 18-year-old student Vladyslav Parkhomenko.
However, many could not say which would be the better option.
It can be considered surprising when you consider Trump and his sidekick, the vice presidential candidate By JD Vancespeeches lately. Trump has mocked the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi constantly, Vance, on the other hand, has said that he doesn’t even care about Ukraine.
Many feel that the West has betrayed Ukraine
The opinion climate among Ukrainians is largely explained by the disappointing president Joe Biden Ukraine policy. It has largely been based on avoiding the spread of war.
Now, at the latest, when North Korean soldiers are supposedly fighting alongside Russia, many feel that Biden’s policy has failed.
However, according to the expert, many Ukrainians may already be so disappointed with Biden’s policy that they are ready to give Trump a chance.
– I keep hearing that we should try Trump, because things would at least be clear with him. We either win or lose the war. It is such fatalism of Ukrainians, working at the Prisma Research Institute of Ukraine Oleksandr Krajev says.
Ukrainians know very well the importance of the United States to their country. When the Ukrainian aid package got stuck in the US Congress as a result of an internal political game for almost half a year, the Ukrainians had to pay dearly for it at the front.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told at the time that he believed that Trump was the obstacle to the approval of the package.
Researcher Krajev points out that Trump’s victory could stop aid to Ukraine. This time it could be fatal for Ukraine.
– For the first six months, he would focus solely on the internal politics of the United States. It could force Ukraine into negotiations from a very bad position, says Krajev.
Trump – threat and opportunity
The Ukrainian administration has been very careful when commenting on the US elections. This is understandable, as Ukraine tries to avoid risks with its most important supporter.
It is noteworthy that not a single opinion poll about the candidates has been conducted in Ukraine either.
– We are afraid that this will be perceived as a kind of statement, because it is assumed that most Ukrainians would say that Harris is a better option for Ukraine, Krajev explains.
A foretaste was given when Zelensky visited the United States in September. Trump was upset that Zelenskyi visited an ammunition factory in the important Libra state of Pennsylvania.
Trump accused the president of favoring Harris, and the meeting between Zelensky and Trump was canceled. In addition, Trump’s team demanded the expulsion of Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States because of the visit.
Despite their tense relationship, the men also have a lot in common.
Both have experienced show business. Zelenskyi, despite his career as a comedian, is a good businessman and knows how Trump thinks, Krajev estimates.
In general, Trump is talked about more than Harris in Ukraine. Many hope that Trump’s speeches about a quick end to the war were just an election speech.
– Let’s think that Trump has changed his mind about many things numerous times, so maybe he will continue to do so. Some also point out that Trump was the first to give Ukraine significant arms aid in 2017, the researcher says.
Sympathies towards Trump can also be partially explained by Ukraine’s political culture, which, according to Krajev, is individual-oriented.
– If Trump were to run for office in Ukraine, I’m almost certain that he would get huge support. As an individual, he is very interesting and active, says Krajev.
Harris – Continuer or savior of Biden’s policy?
The majority of Ukrainians interviewed by consider Harris’ election to be a better option for Ukraine.
Harris has recently spoken strongly in favor of supporting Ukraine. He has also said that Trump would let Russia win the war.
According to the researcher, it is difficult to predict Harris’ policy on Ukraine, because he has not said who he would plant in key positions in his possible administration.
– If there is a chance of losing to Trump, Harris is believed to keep Ukraine afloat, the researcher says.
In Ukraine, you hardly hear optimistic assessments of the future, but in the case of Harris, we cautiously dare to hope for the best. Harris has recently spoken strongly in favor of supporting Ukraine and emphasized that he would not simply repeat Biden’s line.
– This can be considered a very promising combination for us, says the researcher.
However, few Ukrainians interviewed by believe in a quick turnaround for the better. Which candidate do Ukrainians think will win next week?
– It doesn’t matter. I miss the president Ronald Reagan. He was a man in his place, Mesan, who continues his walking tour, decides.