**Zelenskyy Predicts Faster End to Ukraine War with Trump Presidency**

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has expressed optimism that the ongoing conflict with Russia could conclude more swiftly with President-elect Donald Trump back in the White House. In an interview with the media outlet Suspilne, released on Saturday, Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of ending the war by next year through diplomatic channels.

Zelenskyy asserted that the policies of Trump’s incoming administration could accelerate the resolution of the conflict. "It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House. This is their approach, their promise to their citizens," Zelenskyy stated, as translated by the BBC.

In his discussion with Suspilne, Zelenskyy revealed that he had a "constructive exchange" with Trump following his recent electoral victory. According to Zelenskyy, Trump expressed support for Ukraine and commended the nation’s strength, integrity, and courage.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has repeatedly pledged to bring the war to an end and claimed that the invasion by Russia likely wouldn’t have occurred if he had been in office. However, Trump has also critiqued the military aid being sent to Kyiv, describing it as a strain on U.S. resources.

A further point of contention arose with Trump’s nomination of former Representative Tulsi Gabbard as his director of national intelligence. Gabbard, known for her non-interventionist foreign policy stance, has controversially blamed the Biden administration for the Russian invasion, suggesting it was instigated by not closing the door on Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.