On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised his ties with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested that he could negotiate a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled,” Trump remarked to reporters, standing beside Zelensky.
“We have a very good relationship, and I also have a very good relationship — as you know — with President Putin. And I think if we win, I think we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” Trump continued.
“I hope we have more good relations,” Zelensky interjected.
“Oh, I see,” Trump responded. “But it takes two to tango, you know. And we’re going to have a good meeting today. And I think the fact that we’re even together today is a very good sign.”
The two leaders, meeting at Trump Tower in New York City, exchanged pleasantries and briefly addressed the media before moving to more private discussions.
Trump, who has been vocal in his reservations about U.S. assistance to Ukraine, described it as an “honor” to meet with Zelensky. During a rally earlier in the week, Trump had echoed sentiments from fellow Republicans, criticizing Zelensky over perceptions of his preference for Democrats in the upcoming U.S. elections.
When asked why he agreed to meet with Trump, Zelensky explained that they shared a mutual understanding about ending the war, and regardless of the election’s outcome, he hoped for continued American backing.
“I think we have [a] common view that the war in Ukraine has to be stopped and Putin can’t win. The Ukrainians have to prevail, and I want to discuss with you the details,” Zelensky said.
A day earlier, Trump stated that Zelensky had requested the meeting, reiterating his belief that he could facilitate an agreement between Kyiv and Moscow “quite quickly.”
However, Trump has yet to reveal specifics about what such a peace plan would entail, raising concerns among his critics that he might push Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia.
{Matzav.com}