Trump and Zelensky Meet in New York, Discuss War in Ukraine
New York, The Gulf Observer: In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday at Trump Tower, where the two discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. The meeting, which had seemed unlikely until hours prior, marks a significant moment in the strained relationship between the two leaders.
Speaking alongside Zelensky, Trump called for a resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine, stating that the conflict must be settled. “It has to end. [Zelensky] is going through hell, his country’s going through hell like few countries have ever,” Trump told reporters. The former president reiterated his claim that, if elected, he could swiftly negotiate a peace agreement. “I also have a very good relationship as you know with President Putin, and I think if we win [the election] we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” Trump added.
Zelensky expressed hope that the two leaders shared a “common view that the war has to be stopped and Putin can’t win.” He also mentioned that he would discuss the specifics of his “victory plan” with Trump, though details of their conversation remain undisclosed.
The meeting comes amid long-standing tensions between Trump and Zelensky. Trump was impeached in 2019 over allegations that he pressured Zelensky to investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. A transcript of their phone call revealed that Trump had requested Zelensky to dig up damaging information on the Bidens, a move that led to his first impeachment. Despite these past differences, Trump praised Zelensky’s leadership during their appearance on Friday.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Trump has echoed some of Moscow’s talking points regarding the conflict. During a recent presidential debate, Trump sidestepped a direct question about whether he wanted Ukraine to emerge victorious in the war, further fueling speculation about his stance on the conflict.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump reiterated his claim that he could broker a peace deal if elected, though he has been vague about whether he believes Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of a settlement. Zelensky, who has been on a U.S. visit since Sunday, had initially raised tensions with the Republican Party by visiting an arms factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania—President Biden’s hometown—earlier in the week. Top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, labeled the visit a partisan event aimed at helping Democrats, accusing Zelensky of “election interference.”
Despite their political differences, Friday’s meeting underscored the urgency of the war in Ukraine as a pivotal issue in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Trump’s increasing criticism of U.S. funding for Ukraine has been a recurring theme on the campaign trail, while Zelensky has consistently called for continued support from Western allies. The outcome of the U.S. election could significantly impact the future of U.S. policy toward the war.
As the November election approaches, the meeting between Trump and Zelensky marks a crucial moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, with both leaders attempting to navigate their complicated histories while addressing the broader geopolitical stakes of the conflict.
