Kyiv, Ukraine – Considering US President-elect Donald Trump’s unpredictability, Ukraine’s armed forces are bracing for the worst, a top military analyst has said.Trump has promised to end the Russian-Ukrainian war in “24 hours”, although he has hardly elaborated on that plan, and threatened to halt military aid to Kyiv if it does not start peace talks with Moscow.
“We’re getting ready for the worst-case scenario, when [Trump] stops all the supplies,” Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, the former deputy head of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told Al Jazeera.
Trump’s “peace plan” remains vague, but observers say it most likely involves ceding some or all of the Russia-occupied areas – almost 19 percent of Ukraine’s territory – in exchange for a peace deal or a freeze of front-line positions.
Trump, who often describes himself as an impressive dealmaker, has also said that if Moscow does not start peace talks, he will up the ante by supplying advanced arms to Kyiv.
But it is hard to expect anything concrete from him, Romanenko said.
“There are expectations, but it’s like talking to the wind.”
His words are echoed by an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity.
Trump “is unlike other presidents, he may change his decisions depending on what foot …
