Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met face-to-face with Republican candidate Donald Trump on Friday. The meeting touched on ending the war between Ukraine and Russia on “good for both sides” terms.
They met at Trump Tower in New York, shook hands and spoke briefly to the press before sitting down at the negotiating table.
We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled and get it worked out. It has to end. At some point, it has to end. He’s gone through hell. His country has gone through hell, Trump said, standing next to Zelensky while speaking to a small group of reporters ahead of their closed-door meeting.
Trump added: “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.”
Zelensky, for his part, expressed hope to “have more good relations” with Trump. He also said that the war should not have started and added that pressure should go on Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring peace to the families of the victims.
“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,” Trump responded. “I think that we can work out something that’s good for both sides. It’s time. By the way, the president knows that too. He wants to get something done. He doesn’t want to do this.”
The meeting took place at a critical moment in the Ukraine-Russia conflict as US election day approaches. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, have taken sharply different positions on Ukraine. However, Zelensky is seeking to maintain favourable relations with the candidates, who will determine the future course of support for Ukraine.
Apart from, Trump on Friday raised the issue of his first impeachment. He called claims that he pressured the Ukrainian leader to launch an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter Biden in exchange for unblocking some $400 million in military aid “a hoax.” The call in July 2019 led to his first impeachment.
The president has been in the US this week for the UN General Assembly. The meeting comes just after the Ukrainian president met with US President Joe Biden and US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in Washington. On the same day, the administration announced $8 billion in military aid to Kyiv.
Meeting reasons
The day before the meeting, Trump said the Ukrainian president requested a meeting with him, reiterating that he could mediate between Kyiv and Moscow. The request for the meeting came despite the fact that Zelensky has repeatedly criticised the Republican and favours the Democratic party more.
In response to a question regarding the reason for the meeting with Trump, Zelensky said they have a common view on ending the conflict, and regardless of who wins the election, he expects US support to continue. The reason for the meeting may lie in the fact Trump has a good relationship with the leaders of the conflicting sides. The meeting may be considered part of Trump’s election campaign, which could give his peacemaking image some weight not previously present.
In addition, Trump has demonstrated presidential-level relevance by hosting the media president in his office tower. The presidential candidate showed during the meeting that he is quite a moderate politician, determined to work on a peacemaking mission together with the current Democratic administration. Hence, Trump is ready for many foreign policy challenges, which could play well for a return to the White House.
