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A former chief of the general staff has warned that Volodymyr Zelensky may be forced to the negotiating table ‘against his own will’ if Donald Trump becomes US president.

The president-elect has promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours and will want to maintain his reputation as a dealmaker.

General Lord Dannatt told Sky’s Kay Burley: “If (Trump) makes it clear to Zelenskyy that the Americans are going to dramatically cut aid and the Europeans are unable to make up the difference, then, frankly, Zelenskyy will be forced to leave the negotiating table against his own will.”

A compromise will be needed and “part of eastern Ukraine is likely to end up permanently in Russian hands,” Lord Dannatt said.

The consequences of this for European security are “quite horrible,” he added, as the aggressor “will be rewarded.”

Putin ‘maintains pressure’ on Ukraine

Speaking about the war in general, the former Chief of the General Staff said that Russia has been putting pressure on the Ukrainian front line for months.

A large-scale breakthrough has not yet been achieved, but Moscow’s forces are gaining small swaths of territory along the front line.

Lord Dannatt said Putin was likely to “keep up the pressure on Ukraine” before Trump takes over the White House.

Ukraine is not losing the war, but it is certainly not winning either, he said.

Can British missiles be used in Russia?

Asked whether the British government could intervene to allow the use of its Storm Shadow missiles in Russia, Lord Dannatt said he hopes Britain will follow America’s example.

He said the long-range missiles are “necessary” to wage the deep battle by attacking Russian air bases and logistics supplies.

“We have not allowed the Ukrainians to use their weapons to the maximum range and have condemned them to fight effectively with one arm behind their back,” he said.

On Putin’s nuclear threats, he said the Russian president will “always rattle that particular sword” but questioned where he would realistically use a nuclear weapon.

He also said that China, one of Russia’s most important partners, has told Putin “very clearly” that Moscow should not escalate to nuclear war.