Zelensky, who had met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris the previous day, expressed hope for a shared vision with Trump on ending the war, stating, “Putin can’t win, and Ukraine has to prevail.”
Trump’s critical comments directed at Zelensky during their meeting have raised concerns among foreign policy experts about the potential future of US support for Ukraine if he wins the election
Former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for high-stakes discussions on Friday, addressing the implications of Trump’s presidential campaign on US support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. The meeting followed a series of critical remarks from Trump aimed at Zelenskyy, raising concerns among foreign policy experts about the future of US backing for Ukraine if Trump were to win the election.
During the meeting at Trump Tower in New York, Trump asserted that the conflict in Ukraine should never have occurred and vowed to facilitate peace if elected again. “It’s a complicated puzzle… Too many people dead. Too many beautiful cities,” he stated, acknowledging the need for resolution.
The former President noted, “I’ve been saying that I believe if I win, we’re going to have a very fair, and I think, actually rather rapid deal”. He further added, “The war should stop, and the president wants it to stop. I’m sure President Putin wants it to stop. And that’s a good combination. So we want to have a fair deal for everybody”.
Zelensky, who had met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris the previous day, expressed hope for a shared vision with Trump on ending the war, stating, “Putin can’t win, and Ukraine has to prevail.” Their meeting came after Zelensky had criticised Trump in a New Yorker interview, suggesting that the former president did not possess the necessary understanding to end the conflict.
Trump, meanwhile, reaffirmed his historical ties to both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting his belief that a successful resolution could come from a potential Trump administration. “I think we have common views that the war in Ukraine has to be stopped,” he said.
Despite the strained relations over Trump’s criticisms and skepticism regarding US funding for Ukraine, he highlighted a desire for a fair deal and peace. Trump told reporters he learned a lot from the meeting, while Zelensky characterized their conversation as “very meaningful,” reiterating the importance of pushing Russia to end the war.
This meeting comes as Zelensky seeks to solidify support for Ukraine’s defense amid a backdrop of escalating tensions, with drone attacks continuing to threaten civilians in Ukraine. The ongoing US presidential race adds another layer of uncertainty, with Trump’s potential return to the White House stirring fears about future military aid to Ukraine.
As the situation unfolds, both leaders expressed a commitment to finding a resolution, with Zelensky inviting Trump to visit Ukraine in the future. Trump’s statement on Truth Social warned that without his leadership, “the war will never end and will phase into WORLD WAR III.”
