Vote counting in the U.S. presidential election continues, but major American media outlets are already projecting a win for Republican Donald Trump. CNN, NBC, and ABC report he has secured 266 electoral votes, while Fox tallies him at 277.
Trump has already claimed the presidency, promising an end to all wars and a “golden era” for America under his leadership.
Political leaders have begun offering their congratulations. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote, “Congratulations to President Donald Trump. We stand ready to work together as we have before—with respect and ambition. For greater peace and prosperity.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed his intent to “face upcoming challenges alongside Trump,” while Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó remarked that Trump’s victory “increases the likelihood of ending the war in Ukraine through peaceful means.”
Ukraine’s president extended his congratulations to Trump, writing, “Congratulations to Donald Trump on an impressive election victory! I remember our productive meeting in September, where we discussed the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the U.S., the Victory Plan, and potential pathways to end Russian aggression against Ukraine. I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to a ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs—this principle could genuinely bring us closer to a just peace in Ukraine. I look forward to working together to make this a reality. We anticipate a strong era for the United States under President Trump’s decisive leadership and rely on continued robust bipartisan support for Ukraine.”
Zelensky also mentioned Ukraine’s interest in cultivating mutually advantageous political and economic cooperation to benefit both nations.
“Ukraine, as one of Europe’s strongest military powers, is committed to ensuring lasting peace and security across Europe and within the transatlantic community, with the support of our allies. I look forward to personally congratulating President Trump and exploring ways to deepen Ukraine’s strategic partnership with the United States,” Zelensky added.
Volodymyr Dubovyk, director of the Center for International Studies and associate professor in International Relations at Mechnikov Odesa National University, shared his perspective with The Ukrainian Week on the preliminary U.S. election results and their implications for Ukrainians. According to him, there will soon be discussions over whether Donald Trump truly won this race or Kamala Harris ultimately lost it, with analysts breaking down the vote along geographic, demographic, and other lines.
“Election night appeared to be a success for Trump. Clearly, voters leaned toward the view that the economic situation, affected by inflation and high prices, is unsatisfactory. This issue seems central. Concerns over illegal immigration likely also played a role. Additionally, the late change in the Democratic candidate raises questions about whether Kamala Harris managed to run an effective campaign and deliver a clear, cohesive message to voters,” the expert observes.
Volodymyr Dubovyk also highlighted to The Ukrainian Week that Ukraine now faces a tense waiting period as Trump readies a return to the White House.
“Given his consistently sceptical stance on aid to Ukraine, there is cause for concern. We’ll also have to see what his ‘peace plan’ might entail,” Dubovyk noted.
In addition to the presidential race, congressional elections took place, with 34 of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats contested. Preliminary results indicate that Republicans have secured control of the U.S. Senate.
Reuters reports that control of at least one chamber of Congress, especially the House of Representatives, would allow Trump to appoint conservative judges and officials if he takes office. It would also enable Republicans to obstruct much of Kamala Harris’s agenda should she win.
“We’ll need to wait for all the votes to be counted on the Congressional results, but it seems likely that Republicans will gain a majority in the Senate. In terms of Ukraine’s support, there will still be strong backing in Congress, but much will depend on the president’s initiative,” Volodymyr Dubovyk tells The Ukrainian Week.
In addition to the presidential race, Americans are casting votes for governors in eleven states, local legislators, mayors, and various other municipal positions. Some states are also holding local referendums on issues such as abortion laws, tax policies, and marijuana regulations.
Regardless of the results, it remains crucial for Ukraine to engage with both political parties.
“A bipartisan consensus has always been vital for us, and it’s even more essential now. We must continue to demonstrate how supporting Ukraine aligns with American interests,” the expert notes.
