Russian President Vladimir Putin will not end the war with Ukraine before he knows the outcome of the November 2024 US presidential election, a State Department official said on Tuesday, amid concerns that a possible victory by Republican former President Donald Trump would mean the withdrawal of Western support to Kiev.

The tycoon, who plans to seek re-election in 2024 and is leading by a margin in the Republican internal race, has been highly critical of Washington’s support for Kiev.

The US diplomatic official, who spoke to reporters after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, pointed out that the alliance’s support for Ukraine has been reaffirmed as it is assumed that a peace agreement in 2024 is unlikely.

“What I expect is that Putin will not agree to peace, or real peace, before he sees what the outcome of our election will be,” the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Asked if he expresses a personal opinion or that of Joe Biden’s administration, he replied that this position is “widely accepted”.

“This was the context in which all the allies expressed their strong support for Ukraine” at yesterday’s meeting of the Foreign Ministers, he added, without mentioning Mr. Trump by name, nor saying explicitly what he thought the consequences of a possible election victory would be. of the Republican for Western support in Kiev.

Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration offered tens of billions of dollars worth of military and other aid to Ukraine after Russia’s military invaded the country in February 2022. But the additional funding he has asked Congress to approve is blocked by a Republican caucus in the House of Representatives. to Mr. Trump.

The tycoon has vowed to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if re-elected to the presidency.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Mr Trump to Kiev earlier this month to see for himself the scope of the conflict.