Washington: Trump to meet Zelenskyy in New York amid campaign criticism and military aid for Ukraine, raising doubts on US support and peace negotiations.
Donald Trump has announced that he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after previously criticizing him during his campaign and expressing skepticism about Ukraine's capacity to defeat Russia. Trump, the Republican candidate for the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5, stated that the meeting would take place in New York on Friday.
This announcement follows a significant moment earlier in the day when U.S. President Joe Biden revealed over $8 billion in new military aid for Ukraine. Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is competing against Trump in the election, met with Zelenskyy and assured him of her "unwavering" support.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has raised questions about the extent of U.S. support for Ukraine, suggesting at a rally this week that Ukraine should have negotiated with Russia at the onset of the invasion in February 2022. He reiterated his belief that he could facilitate a peace agreement, stating, "President Zelenskyy has asked to meet with me, and I will be meeting with him tomorrow morning at around 9:45 in Trump Tower," when addressing reporters in New York.
When asked whether Ukraine might need to concede territory to achieve peace with Moscow—a proposal that Kyiv has staunchly opposed—Trump did not dismiss the possibility. "We’ll see what happens," he responded.
Harris, just before Trump’s remarks, reaffirmed her support for Ukraine, subtly criticizing Trump by claiming that those who suggest Ukraine should exchange land for peace are endorsing "proposals of surrender." Her comments were made alongside Zelenskyy at the White House, marking their seventh meeting, and the third within this year.
Trump and Zelenskyy have not met face-to-face since Trump's presidency ended in 2021, although they did have a phone conversation in July. Earlier this week, it appeared that Trump might decline Zelenskyy’s request for a meeting. The Ukrainian president had expressed his desire to present his "victory plan" for the war with Russia to Biden, Harris, and Trump during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. However, Trump felt slighted when Zelenskyy visited a munitions factory in Pennsylvania over the weekend with the state’s Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, who is an ally of Harris.
On the campaign trail, Trump has maintained his critical stance toward Zelenskyy, stating on Monday that the Ukrainian leader wanted Harris to win the election and labeling Ukraine as "dead" and "demolished" on Wednesday. Additionally, he hinted at his displeasure over Zelenskyy’s recent remarks in *The New Yorker*, where the Ukrainian leader suggested that Trump “doesn’t really know how to stop the war.” In response to this, Trump remarked, “I do believe I disagree with him. He doesn’t know me.”
