If Donald Trump recognizes that a Ukrainian victory in the fight against Russian aggression is in US interests and provides Kyiv with all the help it needs, Russia will collapse within a year. However, even with this course of events, Ukraine will need reliable protection from a possible re-attack by Russia.

This was stated by the former commander of US ground forces in Europe, retired General Ben Godges.. He is quoted by Ukrinform.

Godges took part in a virtual discussion within the European Policy Center (EPC) on the topic “2025 – a decisive year for Ukraine”. He answered questions from the publication’s correspondent about possible actions of the new White House team to end the war in Ukraine.

" But I believe that he can realize how weak Putin is, and how dire the situation in the Russian economy is. If he does this, then, in the interests of containing China, as I hope, he can help Ukraine defeat Russia,"

At the same time, Ben Godges recalled that Ukraine, due to its geographical location, will continue to remain at the center of events. Taking this into account, the general emphasized that the issue of protecting Ukraine from possible new aggressions from Russia can only be considered after its accession to NATO or when a significant Western military contingent is stationed on Ukrainian territory.

" The most important step for the US president would be to declare that a victory for Ukraine over Russia is in America's interests - and we will do whatever is necessary." to help Ukraine win. If he does this, Russia will experience collapse within a year,” concluded Godges..

Earlier, Trump said that he plans to meet with Putin “soon” and is sure that he is also looking forward to the meeting, because the war has not gone “very well for him.”. However, this meeting can only take place after Trump's inauguration on January 20.

Donald Trump's former special envoy to Ukraine and Russia Kurt Volker said:

the elected President of the United States will try to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible and as fairly as possible for Kyiv. According to him, Trump and his entourage agree that Ukraine “needs to demonstrate a position of strength”. To do this, we need to continue to provide weapons to Kyiv.

Future Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth assured that Donald Trump wants to achieve a peace beneficial for Ukraine. According to him, in the Russian-Ukrainian war everyone understands who the aggressor is.