MOSCOW/ISTANBUL

Ukraine's leadership on Wednesday congratulated former US President Donald Trump on his victory in the presidential election.

"Congratulations to (Donald Trump) on his impressive election victory!" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X.

The Ukrainian leader noted his "great" meeting with Trump in September and said that they discussed the Ukraine-US strategic partnership, "the Victory Plan, and ways to put an end to Russian aggression against Ukraine."

Zelenskyy said he appreciates Trump’s commitment to the “peace through strength” approach in global affairs, expressing it to be the principle that can bring a just peace in Ukraine closer.

"I am hopeful that we will put it into action together," wrote Zelenskyy, conveying that Kyiv is looking forward to an era of a strong US under Trump’s leadership.

He went on to say that Kyiv relies on continued bipartisan support for Ukraine in the US and is interested in developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the political and economic spheres.

"I am looking forward to personally congratulating President Trump and discussing ways to strengthen Ukraine's strategic partnership with the United States," he added.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also congratulated Trump on his win, indicating that Kyiv expects to "strengthen our strategic partnership and move closer to a just peace."

"We look forward to continued support and the implementation of new bilateral projects," Shmyhal wrote on X.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha later wrote on X that Zelenskyy and Trump have a "long-standing, constructive, and result-oriented" dialogue.

He said Washington and Kyiv will work together to strengthen their strategic partnership and bring a "comprehensive, just, and lasting peace" closer.

Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris after winning 277 Electoral College votes in Tuesday's election, according to The Associated Press.

Trump is leading Harris by about 5 million votes in the popular count, with 71 million votes.

The win makes Trump only the second US president to serve non-consecutive terms, following Grover Cleveland, who served two separate terms in the late 1800s, with President Benjamin Harrison in between.

Trump and his running mate JD Vance will be sworn into office in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.