"We have contacts with representatives of Donald Trump, maintain good relations with the Republican Party, and I am almost certain — and want to believe — that the USA will firmly uphold the principles on which it was built: peace, human rights, and the rule of law. These are values we are fighting for.
"We heard many declarations during the election campaign, but what will truly matter are the actions, determination, and leadership of the USA on the international stage. I want to believe they will fight for democracy," Tsikhanovskaya said in response to RFE/RL's questions about whether she has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory and how U.S. relations with democratic forces and the current regime might shift under his leadership.
On the prospects for continuing strategic dialogue between democratic forces and the United States, Tsikhanouskaya added: "Our strategic dialogue, which was organized recently, will continue its intensive work. We have many areas of focus, and I don’t expect any changes in this direction with the new administration."
Russian state TV propagandists weigh in on Trump’s victory:
“I think Trump, even before January, will propose a knowingly unfavorable deal on Ukraine, which we will, of course, reject. Donald will shrug and, in his usual style, announce an unprecedented aid package for Zelenskiy’s regime and lift all restrictions on missiles. This won’t change anything either. But it will delay the settlement process,” wrote Evgeny Popov, a Russian politician, journalist, and Duma deputy.
His wife, prominent Russian TV propagandist Olga Skabeeva, with whom Popov co-hosts the TV show 60 Minutes on Russian state TV, simply wrote: “Wow! My congratulations! 47th President of the USA,” posting a screenshot from Fox News projecting Trump as the 47th president of the United States.
-- Mark Krotov
Residents of Kyiv expressed mixed reactions on November 6 after Republican Donald Trump secured victory over his Democratic challenger Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election. In comments to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, they worry that Trump's foreign policy might not consider Ukraine's victory in its struggle against the Russian invasion a top priority:
How Could Trump's Win Impact The Western Balkans?
Cody McClain Brown, a professor at Zagreb University, a native of Oklahoma, speaking with Dragan Stavljanin of RFE/RL's Balkan Service:
"It depends [what Trump’s policy on the Balkans will be]. If Russia tries to exert its influence more in Serbia and in Montenegro, then maybe the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina can become less stable. When it comes to Kosovo, I think his position will be further on hold. Maybe he could support Serbia retaking Kosovo, but it's hard to know because he doesn't express strong opinions about these things.
"He doesn't seem to have a world view other than America first, but America first for Trump seems to just mean Trump first, and so it sort of just depends on where he sees his own interests, which is very unsettling for the rest of the world.
"Maybe the U.S. under Trump will no longer be interested in its position in the Balkans and isn't going to defend it and that allows China or Russia to move in further and destabilize things.
"If Serbia is emboldened through Russia's commitment to Serbia, and if the United States is not interested in defending Kosovo, we move Camp Bondsteel out or something like that, then maybe they would retake it. Again, like I said, I'm sorry to be a broken record here, but [with] Trump, you just don't know because you don't know what's going to attract his interest. Even though his wife is from the Balkans, it doesn't seem to be that interesting. Hopefully, it won't change. I don't imagine it will change, but again I don't know."
-- Compiled by Ajla Obradovic
Europe Braces For Trump's Return
By Rikard Jozwiak
EU officials are bracing themselves for Donald Trump's return to the White House.
They are preparing for the possibility of increased tensions in transatlantic trade and the likelihood that the bloc of 27 member states will have to shoulder a bigger burden of political and financial support for Ukraine.
Plus there's the fact that, in the past, Trump has preferred to deal with regional allies, such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, rather than the European Union as a whole.
Speaking to EU officials as Trump was projected to win the U.S. presidential vote early on November 6, the mood was as somber as the Brussels weather was grim.
Read all of Rikard's report here.
Radio Azadi Listeners Inside Afghanistan Weigh In On Trump Win
By Kian Sharifi
In Afghanistan, Trump is widely known for signing a deal that paved the way for the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Radio Azadi listeners in Afghanistan are split over what Trump’s second stint in the White House will mean for their country.
Abdullah, a shopkeeper in Kabul, said he hoped that Trump will pursue policies “that will have an effect on Afghanistan’s peace and security.”
But Sakhi Jan, also a Kabul resident, said he was worried that Trump will start a war with Afghanistan to reclaim the Bagram Air Base, which was used for military planning by U.S. forces for two decades until the August 2021 pullout.
“I can’t say [Trump’s return] is good for Afghanistan,” he added.
Trump has publicly talked about his desire to get Bagram back. During a campaign speech in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in November 2023, Trump floated the idea of reclaiming the air base as part of a trade deal with the Taliban.
“Give us back that damn airport,” he demanded.
Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Tokaev congratulates Trump:
"President Qasym-Zhomart Tokaev has sent congratulations to Donald Trump on the occasion of his convincing victory in the U.S. presidential election.
"The Head of State expressed confidence in the progressive development of bilateral cooperation in the field of security, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and investment.
"The President of Kazakhstan wished Donald Trump successful work for the benefit of the prosperity of the American people, ensuring global stability and security.
Afghan men in a Kabul restaurant watch a television broadcast of Donald Trump's victory speech:
'Happy Victory, Mr. President!': A banner in Serbian congratulating Donald Trump on his U.S. election victory, in North Mitrovica:
Listeners from Afghanistan call in to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi:
Listener 1: “Trump becoming president does not change anything for Afghanistan and does not affect the situation here. Trump being president cannot affect the government of the Taliban at all.”
Listener 2: “Trump becoming president will result in the creation of an inclusive government or the Taliban’s government will fall. This is a hope for those people who have worked in the previous government, those who have left the country [fearing for their lives], and those women and girls who can’t go to school or work. This is a good news.”
Listener 3: “I think Trump is very serious in what he does. He might pressure the Taliban and as a result the Taliban might change their policies in Afghanistan. I think the Taliban will be held under pressure for women's rights and an inclusive government.“
Listener 4: “Trump had made some agreements with the Taliban in Doha. The first thing should be that he should answer for what the Taliban is doing in Afghanistan. The Taliban had promised in the agreement that they would respect human rights [and the] media will be active, but none of those things happened here. Secondly, he has expressed views on the Bagram air base. I think the Taliban will make another agreement about this.”