Trump’s victory alters global dynamics in Israel and Ukraine Bloomberg’s perspective

President-elect Donald Trump’s influence is already being felt on the global stage, particularly in Israel and Ukraine, long before his official inauguration. 

The recent article by Bloomberg says that with phone calls to key leaders in both nations — including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and an expected one with Russian President Vladimir Putin — Trump’s victory is beginning to reshape U.S. foreign policy in these critical areas, per Caliber.Az.

A former Trump administration official, speaking anonymously, suggested that the president-elect is poised to make a swift impact, with the perception that he will take a tougher stance than his predecessor. This perception could lead U.S. adversaries to either alter their behaviour in anticipation of a more assertive approach or attempt to leverage their remaining opportunities before President Joe Biden steps down.

In Ukraine, this shift is being felt acutely. Trump had promised during his campaign to resolve the ongoing crisis before taking office, and President Zelenskyy is now recalibrating Ukraine’s approach to negotiations. According to Shelby Magid, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, the prospect of Trump’s leadership has pushed Ukraine to acknowledge the necessity of negotiations, even if it means compromising on certain issues, including territorial integrity.

The transition period between elections and inauguration has traditionally been a time of uncertainty, but the stakes are higher this year due to Trump’s decisive win and his clear intention to dismantle Biden’s policies. This uncertainty has placed foreign policy priorities on hold, as global leaders waited to see who would become the 47th U.S. president.

Biden administration officials continue to assert that they will proceed with ongoing diplomatic efforts, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stressing the importance of the remaining days in office. Yet, Bloomberg notes that Trump’s victory has already begun to shape the outlook for U.S. foreign policy.

Zelenskyy, eager to work with the incoming president, has signalled his hopes for a strong partnership, tweeting about the importance of "peace through strength" and "mutually beneficial" cooperation. However, he also emphasized that any concessions by Ukraine would be "unacceptable" and could undermine not just Ukraine but the entire continent of Europe.

On the other hand, Israel stands to benefit the most from Trump's arrival in the White House. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has a close relationship with Trump, is seen as having more leeway in his dealings with the U.S. under the new administration. Bloomberg reports that Trump is expected to give Israel greater freedom to act against Iran's nuclear ambitions, a stance that Netanyahu strongly supports.

As Trump takes office, some countries, including Israel and Ukraine, will likely move forward with more certainty about U.S. policy, even if it may be at odds with other U.S. allies. Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies pointed out that Trump's approach could keep European allies "off balance," as they seek to secure favourable outcomes before any major policy changes take shape.

In the Middle East, Trump's win has empowered Netanyahu, who is now positioned to push back less against U.S. pressure over the Gaza situation, knowing that Trump’s policies align more closely with Israel’s interests, particularly on Iran. However, experts like Jonathan Panikoff from the Atlantic Council caution that the future of U.S. foreign policy under Trump’s second term is not yet set in stone and could differ from the first term’s policies.

By Tamilla Hasanova