Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential elections in 2024 did not come as a surprise in Kyiv. Instead, Ukrainian authorities are now focused on building institutional ties with the incoming administration and closely monitoring appointments to foreign policy positions. 

Ukraine’s leaders have wasted no time seeking opportunities to engage with the president-elect and his team to present their vision for ending the war. In early December, First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andrii Yermak visited Washington, D.C. and met with representatives of the current administration and Trump’s transition team.

One particularly well-received announcement in Kyiv is the appointment of retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. This marks the first time in over five years that the US will have a dedicated point person for Ukraine negotiations following Ambassador Kurt Volker’s resignation in 2019. For Ukraine, having a designated envoy like Kellogg simplifies communication, allowing more direct engagement without relying solely on visits with the Secretary of State or National Security Advisor. Given the urgency of the war, Kyiv cannot afford prolonged delays in gaining President Trump’s attention.

Despite concerns from some corners about Trump’s America First foreign policy, Ukraine remains confident in its ability to navigate the challenges. Kyiv officials and the broader Ukrainian public recognize the inherent complexities of negotiating with Putin’s Russia, whether Trump plays a mediating role or not. President Zelensky has repeatedly emphasized the difficulties of reaching lasting agreements with Moscow, even with an intermediary.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Kyiv and Moscow had already engaged in over 200 rounds of negotiations, including more than 20 ceasefire agreements. None of these talks proved durable. 

Against this backdrop, Ukraine approaches Trump’s America First doctrine with specific questions about its implications for peace talks. The question is whether Trump and his appointees are prepared to pressure Putin into meaningful dialogue. If the answer is yes, then how would they achieve this? Robert Wilkie, a key figure shaping Trump’s defense policy, has suggested that any attempt by Russia to intimidate its negotiation partners would provoke a forceful response from the Trump administration.

Trump has often stated that Ukraine should be “armed to the teeth” to strengthen its negotiating position. In particular, in 2023 he remarked, “I would tell Zelensky, ‘No more. You got to make a deal.’ I would tell Putin, ‘If you don’t make a deal, we’re going to [give Ukraine] more than they ever got if we have to.’”

Meanwhile, there is growing evidence that Ukrainians are increasingly open to exploring pathways to peace or a frozen conflict. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 52 percent of Ukrainians now favor a negotiated end to the war, a marked shift from 2022, when 73 percent supported fighting until full victory. Among those advocating for negotiations, 52 percent are willing to consider territorial concessions as part of a potential peace deal. This shift in sentiment has been partially driven by the hardships of war, including power outages caused by attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Another poll corroborates this trend, showing that most Ukrainians (64 percent at least) favor initiating talks to freeze the conflict. These evolving attitudes reflect the deep desire for an end to the violence that continues to claim civilian and military lives daily.

Ultimately, Ukraine’s ability to navigate shifting global political dynamics demonstrates the nation’s unyielding resilience. Kyiv has no intention of being pressured into unfavorable preconditions to negotiations merely to establish ties with the new administration in Washington. For Ukraine, security guarantees that ensure lasting protection and stability are a non-negotiable result for any peace talks.

Whether through negotiations or continued military resistance, Kyiv remains unwavering in its commitment to defending its sovereignty and freedom. Ukrainian officials emphasize that a just peace is only possible if the United States and its allies compel Russia to engage in genuine dialogue. Furthermore, Western partners must lead the way in developing a durable system of security that guarantees Ukraine's safety and stability, both now and in the future, to prevent further Russian aggression. 

The opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author and do not reflect the views of the Kennan Institute.