Zelenskiy’s victory an ‘important moment’

Trump calls comedian Zelenskiy’s win an ‘important moment’ in Ukraine’s history: White House: President Trump spoke to newly elected Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy Sunday night,

Zelenskiy’s victory is widely seen as a rebuke of the status quo, a response to perceived corruption within the political establishment and with nearly all the ballots counted, the 41-year-old Volodymyr Zelenskiy took 73% of the Ukrainian vote shows his profound following in the country.

He being able win parliamentary elections in October and the support of oligarchs will be crucial for prospective President Zelensky.

Zelenskiy has the right to propose certain cabinet jobs, like that of foreign minister, but much of the current government is likely to remain in place until the next parliamentary election, which is due in October.

The United States, the European Union and Russia will be closely watching Zelenskiy’s foreign policy pronouncements to see if and how he might try to end the war against pro-Russian separatists that has killed some 13,000 people.

U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Zelenskiy and pledged to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity. German Chancellor Angela Merkel echoed that support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, saying in a letter she looked forward to hosting Zelenskiy for talks in Berlin soon.

The European Union delivered formal congratulations to Zelenskiy but made clear it expects him to pursue reforms.Zelenskiy said on Sunday he planned to continue European-backed talks with Russia on a so-far largely unimplemented peace deal and would try to free Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia, including 24 sailors.

The Kremlin said it was premature to talk of President Vladimir Putin congratulating Zelinskiy or about the possibility of the two leaders working together.

“We’ll be able to judge by concrete deeds,” Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told reporters.

Peskov said Moscow respected the choice of the Ukrainian people, but said there was a question mark over the legitimacy of the election because Kiev did not allow some 3 million Ukrainians living and working in Russia to vote.