Former President Donald Trump once again boasted that he could end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict before even taking office in January 2025. Trump’s outlandish declaration came during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower in New York City.
The meeting occurred against the backdrop of the UN General Assembly, where Zelensky has been advocating for Ukraine’s sovereignty and cautioning against any peace proposals that don’t include Ukrainian input. He had previously briefed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on his “victory plan” for the war, emphasizing the need for a decisive resolution that prevents Russian President Vladimir Putin from succeeding.
During the meeting, Zelensky noted that both leaders agree the war must end and expressed interest in discussing the details of his plan. Trump praised their relationship, pointing to Zelensky’s previous denials of any pressure from Trump during their controversial July 2019 phone call, which led to Trump’s first impeachment.
“So we’re going to sit down just discuss it, and if we have a win, I think long before I take the presidency, we can work out something that’s good for both sides. It’s time,” Trump stated.
This meeting followed Trump’s earlier decision to cancel a planned encounter with Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader’s visit to a munitions plant in Pennsylvania, which drew criticism from Republicans. However, Trump reversed his stance following Zelensky’s discussions with Harris, where the Vice President reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense.
Harris also took the opportunity to address concerns about some Republican proposals that she described as akin to surrender. “These proposals are the same as those of Putin, and let us be clear: They are not proposals for peace. Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable,” she said.
Zelensky has been vocal about the implications of accepting peace deals that exclude Ukraine from negotiations, warning world leaders that such actions would only empower Putin. He underscored the importance of including Ukrainian voices in any discussions to ensure a fair and lasting resolution.
The backdrop of this diplomatic encounter is a complex political landscape in the U.S., where support for Ukraine remains a contentious issue among lawmakers.
Zelensky’s recent tour of the munitions plant sparked outrage among some Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who criticized the lack of Republican representation during the visit. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed these criticisms as a political stunt.
