Zelenskyy calls Trump ‘decisive’ in potential war outcome as Ukraine strikes Russian targets in Kursk

In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a bold statement about the potential influence of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskyy described Trump as a “decisive” figure who could play a critical role in the war’s outcome. “Trump can be decisive. For us, this is the most important thing,” said Zelenskyy, adding that Trump’s involvement could help in stopping Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

This comes after Trump’s claim that he could resolve the war within a day, although he has not elaborated on how exactly he would achieve this. Zelenskyy also revealed that Trump had pledged to visit Washington immediately after his inauguration in January. This further solidified Zelenskyy’s belief in Trump’s potential to alter the trajectory of the conflict, specifically in stopping Putin.

As the war continues to intensify, Ukrainian forces have remained active, recently executing a high-precision strike on a Russian military command post located in Maryino, within Russia’s Kursk region. The Ukrainian military reported that these strikes were aimed at disrupting Russia’s military capabilities, particularly targeting their ability to carry out terrorism against innocent civilians in Ukraine.

However, Russia’s military quickly countered, claiming to have downed four Ukrainian missiles in the region. Regional officials confirmed damage to a high-rise building in the Kursk area, with other structures, including a school and apartment buildings, also affected. The Ukrainian military, however, provided video evidence showing the destruction of Russian facilities, further escalating the tension.

As Ukraine continues to push into Russian territory, Ukrainian forces have launched multiple operations, most recently in Kursk, and are maintaining their presence in the region. Despite some territorial setbacks, the Russian military claims to have regained most of the territory lost.

Meanwhile, Russia has been intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, aiming at crippling Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its air force, drones, missiles, and artillery targeted multiple sites in Ukraine over the past 24 hours.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the pressure on Ukrainian forces, particularly on the eastern front, where Russian troops have been advancing rapidly. “They are putting pressure on our boys, who are exhausted, and that is a fact,” he said, indicating the need for stabilization efforts moving forward.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine’s military remains resilient. In a defensive action, Ukrainian forces shot down 47 Russian drones that were launched overnight in attacks across various regions in Ukraine. These areas included Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, and others, although no major damage has been reported as of now.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have been quick to respond, claiming to have intercepted and destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones in areas close to the Russia-Ukraine border. While casualties and damage reports have been sparse, tensions remain high as both sides prepare for further engagements.

Zelenskyy’s comments underscore a growing belief that outside intervention, particularly from the United States, could play a pivotal role in resolving the conflict. As Ukraine continues its defense efforts and targets key Russian military positions, the question remains: can Trump be the “decisive” leader that Zelenskyy envisions in ending the war?