President-elect Donald J. Trump has often shown disdain toward Ukraine and its leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump, who has touted his good relationship with Putin and called the Russian leader “pretty smart” for invading Ukraine, has repeatedly criticized American backing of Ukraine.

As U.S. president, Donald J. Trump will inherit a role as Ukraine’s chief benefactor. But he has been skeptical about continuing aid to Kyiv.

A Kremlin insider also suggested that Trump’s election could be an opportunity for Russia to reset relations with the US.

With Russian President Vladimir Putin having enjoyed a good relationship with Mr Trump, Moscow described the returning US president as “useful”. But the return to power of the home-spending Republican could spell the end of much of the military aid funding for Kyiv.

Donald Trump's historic return to the White House could dramatically alter the balance of the world stage, with the Republican promising sweeping action in a second administration.

Trump, who has spoken of his good relations with President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly said—without elaborating—that he could bring a swift end to the almost three-year conflict.

By Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn and Dmitry Antonov MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin reacted cautiously on Wednesday after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president, saying the U.S. was still a hostile state and that only time would tell if Trump's rhetoric on ending the Ukraine war translated into reality.