DONALD Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have met today in an exchange that could decide the fate of Ukraine – despite an ongoing frosty feud.
The two haven’t had a meeting since 2019 as Zelensky continues to pressure US politicians for American aid against Russia’s invasion.
ReutersTrump and Zelensky meet at Trump Tower in New York[/caption]
APThe two haven’t had a meeting since 2019[/caption]
APTrump and Zelensky sat at the table in the Trump Tower today[/caption]
Trump says he’s got a very good relationship with Zelensky – and Russia’s Putin too.
The ex-president has frequently said with confidence that Russia “would have never attacked Ukraine” if he were president.
He has also not been shy in praising mad Russian leader Vladimir Putin, having previously called him a “genius” and “savvy”.
Reports previously said the meeting wouldn’t go ahead after Trump showed offence to Zelensky’s comments that the running Republican “doesn’t really know how to stop the war”.
This week Trump revealed a personal plea Zelensky sent him asking for a meeting – posting a screenshot to his Truth Social account.
In Zelensky’s message, the leader says: “Days ago, we requested a meeting with you, and I really want to hear your thoughts directly, and first hand.
“You know I always speak with great respect about everything connected to you, and that’s how it should be.
“I believe it’s important for us to have personal contact and to understand each other 100 per cent.
“I would really like for our meeting to take place, as part of our efforts to help us end this war in a just way.”
Trump posting the private conversation aligns with the heightened tensions between him and the Ukrainian leader.
The presidential election has a huge impact on the war in Ukraine which is now in its third year.
The Republican hinted at other campaign stops this week that the US had been too generous to Ukraine and made claims that Zelensky supports his Democratic opponents.
Trump has also maintained his scepticism of the US’s involvement in the war – heavily contrasting President Joe Biden and Democratic running candidate Kamala Harris – who continue to push for US aid.
Trump and Zelensky have had a consistently turbulent relationship, with Trump getting impeached in 2019 over accusations that he pressured the Ukrainian leader to dig up dirt on the Biden family.
A rough transcript of the call revealed Trump had urged Zelensky to investigate Biden – and Biden’s son.
The rare meeting comes two months after the pair had a phone call and Zelensky emphasised in a statement the importance of US support for Ukraine.
He said: “Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror.
“Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day. We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting.”
ReutersTrump boasts his good relationship with both Zelensky and Russian leader Putin[/caption]
ReutersThis week Trump revealed a private message Zelensky had sent to him[/caption]
Trump said afterwards confidently that he would “end the war” and that both sides would “negotiate a deal that ends the violence.”
Zelensky is in the US this week participating in the UN General Assembly in New York.
The Ukrainian leader presented a “victory” plan to Biden and Harris at the White House on Thursday, with Biden announcing a new military aid package worth nearly a whopping $8 billion for Kyiv.
But Zelensky was unsuccessful in earlier talks where he tried to secure permission to use Western missiles to strike deep into Russia.
Putin warned that attacks on Russia by western-backed missiles could trigger a devastating nuclear response.
The White House fear the threat of supplying the missiles, with an intelligence assessment describing various responses Russia would take.
These could include acts of arson and sabotage or deadly attacks on Western military bases, The New York Times reports.
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