Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in New York on Friday, where Trump described their relationship as “very good.” Prior to their meeting, Trump and Zelensky stood together, with Zelensky recently stating to the New Yorker that Trump doesn’t “really know how to stop the war,” but both leaders share a “common view” that the Russia-Ukraine conflict must come to an end.
Trump remarked that the war, which began on February 24, 2022, “should have never happened.”
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "This is a war that should have never happened. It should have never happened and it wouldn't have happened — We'll get it solved." pic.twitter.com/NDa9L6dIH1
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 27, 2024
“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, we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” Trump told reporters before their private discussion. Zelensky responded, “I hope we have more good relations between us,” to which Trump acknowledged, “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.”
Zelensky had requested the meeting to hear Trump’s thoughts on achieving peace between Russia and Ukraine “directly, and firsthand.” In a message shared by Trump on Truth Social, Zelensky expressed his respect for Trump and emphasized the importance of personal contact to fully understand each other.
Earlier, Zelensky met with Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, on Thursday. Harris stated that she would “ensure Ukraine prevails in this war” during joint remarks with Zelensky before departing the podium as reporters shouted questions.
Zelensky arrived in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sunday aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17A aircraft. He toured a munitions factory producing war materials for Ukraine and met with Democratic state officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Bob Casey, and Rep. Matt Cartwright.
Donald Trump meets Zelensky in New York.
"We're gonna have a good meeting." pic.twitter.com/uSUQt8HJST
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 27, 2024
Before his Pennsylvania visit, Zelensky criticized Trump’s campaign rhetoric regarding the war in Ukraine to the New Yorker, expressing more concern about Trump’s running mate, Republican Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, whom he labeled “too radical.” Zelensky’s criticism was partly in response to Vance’s suggestion for a hypothetical peace proposal that would allow Russia to retain territory it has seized in exchange for establishing a demilitarized zone along current battle lines.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with billions in foreign aid over the past two and a half years, with Congress passing five bills totaling approximately $175 billion. On Thursday, Biden announced nearly $8 billion more in military assistance for Ukraine.
