Expert warns against excessive expectations from Trump's Ukraine policy

Moscow should not expect Washington to completely stop supporting Kiev despite statements by US President-elect Donald Trump and members of his incoming administration about their intention to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Ivan Timofeev, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), expressed this view in a conversation with Izvestia.

"American military aid to Kiev exceeds the amount of aid from the European Union countries. Still, we should not underestimate the support from European NATO members as well. For example, France is supplying Ukraine with a number of weapons systems, in particular self-propelled artillery and wheeled tanks. The same can be said about Germany. But, let's say, France will not be able to single-handedly replace the amount of US assistance, while the assistance from the United States will not stop completely, as it has been approved by law," the RIAC Director General explained.

The expert noted that the new US president may make adjustments, but there will be no radical reduction in military aid to Kiev.

"If the Europeans are talking about strengthening military aid in case of US refusal, it is more of a rhetorical exercise, as Washington will not stop helping Ukraine," he added.

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