Russians in Moscow cautiously welcomed the news of a projected victory for Donald Trump — who has blasted US aid for Ukraine — hoping he would deliver on promises to end a conflict that the Kremlin launched.
Trump, who has spoken of his good relations with President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly said — without elaborating — that he could bring a swift end to the almost three-year conflict.
The Kremlin has said it would only accept a deal that involved Ukraine surrendering vast swathes of territory.
“I hope that if Trump is elected in America, the situation in Ukraine will improve and develop,” said Alexander, a 48-year-old engineer.
Trump has criticised the US sending billions of dollars in military assistance to help Kyiv fend off advancing Russian forces.
But he has never given any detail on what strategy he would adopt and Moscow’s forces have advanced fast in Ukraine for months.
Likely less aid 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 student Yevgeny hoped.
Another student, 19-year-old Sergei, was also hoping for an end to the conflict, which has seen a massive crackdown on dissent at home and a major 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 said, referring to the conflict in Ukraine.
“I would like it to be for the better of course,” he added.
Others were more cautious however. They argued that during Trump’s last term in office, despite his declarations on drastically changing US policy towards Russia, little changed in practice.
Ivan, 50, said he would have to wait and see what Trump would be like in office.
“Campaigning is one thing and actually sitting in the chair and taking action is quite another,” he said.
While something would change, he added, it was too early to say what.
For Yevgeny, a 70-year-old sculptor, it made no difference who was at the helm in Washington, arguing that US attitudes towards Russia transcended internal political differences.
“Kamala and Trump are completely the same,” he told AFP. “They don’t like Russians. And nothing good for us is going to come from either one, in my opinion.”