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What Trump's election victory could mean for Ukraine in its war with Russia

Watch: Ukraine facing an uncertain future under President Trump

One of the biggest questions thrown up by Donald Trump's election victory is the future of Ukraine as he has been vocal in his desire to cut military aid to Kyiv and end the war – but less clear on how.

His re-election raises uncertainty on whether he could pull the plug on US military aid, perhaps attempt to force Kyiv to cede territory to Russia and ambiguity around his attitude towards Vladimir Putin. 

"There is certainly a feeling that this was going to be a bad outcome for Ukraine," said strategic adviser and former British Army officer Justin Crump.

"I think there was obviously a pessimistic mood, they know where they stand with Biden, this is change and they don't know what it will bring.

"But I think there are fears that it could result in Ukraine losing some of that US support it's had, or at least being coerced to accept an outcome that Ukraine wouldn't necessarily itself want."

The Republican Party is hawkish on Ukraine, with many of its members favouring stopping aid to Kyiv completely.

Earlier this year they blocked President Biden's supplemental spending bill, freezing $60bn in military aid.

It had an immediate effect with Ukrainian forces left short of ammunition and weapons.

Ukraine is heavily dependent on support from the US, which makes up at least 50% of what it receives.

Watch: US' Indo-Pacific focus predicted to continue under Trump

Mr Crump said this leaves the country looking "more vulnerable without doubt".

"In a war where every shell matters, where every vehicle counts, every bullet counts – that's something that's very significant," he pointed out.

"It would be very hard for them to carry on fighting at the same tempo without that support."

Mr Crump said European nations could step up to fill any gap, which would be a huge ask, although it was potentially within their power to supply.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to congratulate Trump.

However, the incoming President has been less than flattering about the Ukrainian leader, branding him the "greatest salesman in history".

On how their relationship is going to pan out, Mr Crump said Trump has more in common with "autocratic leaders because he is an autocrat in his own organisation, leading the most powerful democracy on Earth".

However, this does mean that when he talks to other leaders who are autocratic, "there's a common language that can result in sudden breakthroughs in relations and friendships".

Zelensky's team hopes Trump's unpredictability will be their biggest hope.

The soon-to-be 47th President of the United States said the war in Ukraine would not have happened if he had been in charge, but has offered no detailed plan to end the conflict.

As Ukraine braces for another winter at war, Kyiv waits to see whether America will help it win or force it towards an unpalatable peace.

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