Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), expressed indifference towards the potential re-election of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 election, as reported in a CNN interview published on Jan. 31.
Trump, who led the U.S. from 2017 to 2021, has indicated he might reduce support for Ukraine if re-elected. He has proposed to negotiate an immediate ceasefire with Russia within 24 hours, though the specifics of such a deal remain unclear.
Currently leading in the early primary voting for the Republican nomination, Trump may potentially face off against incumbent President Joe Biden in the November presidential election.
The deadlock in Congress over aid to Ukraine is largely attributed to hesitancy among Republican lawmakers, who have stalled additional aid, often due to unrelated domestic political issues. While initial U.S. support for Ukraine was nearly unanimous, it has become increasingly polarized.
Despite this, Budanov is not overly concerned about a Republican administration under Trump, noting, “Trump is an experienced person. He has fallen many times and gotten back up again. This is a very serious trait.”
This statement comes amid claims from some Democrats, like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, that certain segments of the Republican party exhibit support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, dubbing them the "pro-Putin caucus." Budanov, however, refuted such assertions, labeling the idea that Trump and the Republican party favor Russia as "complete nonsense."
The ongoing debate in Congress about future U.S. aid to Ukraine has not reached a conclusive decision, but Budanov remains hopeful for a positive outcome.
His comments underscore the increasing impact of the decline in U.S. aid on Ukraine's military efforts. Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder highlighted on Jan. 23 the inability of the U.S. to fulfill Ukraine's urgent battlefield needs due to funding constraints.
