In Ukraine, hopes of war breakthrough slim whoever wins US election

For many Ukrainians, the outcome of the US election next week - and its impact on the war with Russia - feels less likely to be pivotal than it once did.

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KYIV -

Even with the Democrats' unprecedented military and financial aid, battlefield losses have accelerated in the east, and Ukraine has grown impatient with US President Joe Biden's reluctance to let it unleash Western weapons on targets deep inside Russia.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, meanwhile, has criticised the level of American support for Kyiv, refused to say he wants Ukraine to win the war and promised, if elected, to end the conflict before he takes office in January, without explaining how.

That has led some ordinary Ukrainians and officials to be less categorical about who they want to win the White House - Trump or Democratic contender Kamala Harris.

"If Harris wins, it will be a continuation of the sham assistance to Ukraine, which means that they will talk and do nothing," said Mr Viktor Tupilka, 70, a former coal miner from the eastern region of Donetsk.

"If Trump wins, he will most likely push for an end to the war and give away a share of Ukraine's territory," he added, speaking in Kyiv.