The meeting caused controversy in Ukraine in view of the former American president’s criticism of his country’s aid to kyiv.
This Friday, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed in New York in a very delicate interview, given the Republican candidate’s repeated criticism of the massive American aid granted to Ukraine. The candidate for the White House assured that he “ will solve » the war in Ukraine after their exchange. “This war should never have taken place, but we will resolve it,” assured the Republican.
« We are going to have a constructive meeting today »said Donald Trump before the interview. He had rented his « very good relationship » with Volodymyr Zelensky, but also with Russian President Vladimir Putin. « We agree that the war in Ukraine must end »declared the Ukrainian president.
Traveling to the United States since Sunday, he met the former American president assured of the support of the current administration – but obviously worried about the future of aid to his country at war, in the event of Donald Trump’s victory in the November 5 election. The Republican candidate, who made« America first » one of the main markers of his presidency, regularly denounces the colossal sums released by Washington for kyiv since 2022.
“Best salesperson on the planet”
Just this week, the septuagenarian described Volodymyr Zelensky as « best salesperson on the planet ». « Every time he comes to our country, he leaves with 60 billion dollars »he quipped. Last week, the Ukrainian presidency announced that Mr. Zelensky planned to meet the former president during his visit to the United States.
But this interview was put on hold, according to the American press, the Republican not having appreciated an interview given by the Ukrainian leader to the magazine New Yorker. He claimed that the Republican candidate did not know « not really how to stop this war ».
Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that if he were re-elected, he would resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine. « in 24 hours »without ever explaining how. « I think we can find an agreement that is good for both sides »he repeated again on Friday.
Support from Biden and Harris
The meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky comes the day after a visit to Washington by the Ukrainian president, where he spoke with President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, after a visit to the US Congress.
The « Russia will not win »assured Joe Biden when receiving him at the White House. In order to« help Ukraine win this war »he had announced a little earlier a « increased security assistance » – but without giving the green light hoped for by kyiv to fire long-range missiles manufactured in the United States towards Russia.
« This war can be won and a just peace can be made, but only with the United States »argued Volodymyr Zelensky. He came to expose his « victory plan » aimed at ending the Russian invasion that began on February 24, 2022.
« Capitulation »
« My support for the Ukrainian people is unwavering »Democratic White House candidate Kamala Harris reassured him during a separate meeting.
« There are people in my country who would like to force Ukraine to abandon large portions of its sovereign territory, (…) these are proposals for capitulation, which is dangerous and irresponsible »she added in an allusion to her Republican rival Donald Trump.
Moscow, whose troops have been making progress in recent months against kyiv’s forces, claimed Thursday the capture of Ukraïnsk, a town in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. The conquest of Donbass, the Ukrainian industrial basin which includes the Donetsk region, is the « priority number one » of President Putin.
