Trump promises to broker a Ukraine-Russia agreement beneficial to both, asserts it's 'good for both sides' during event with Zelenskyy
The joint appearance at Trump Tower occurs amidst the former president's criticisms of Zelenskyy during his campaign.
TroibNews 
In his first in-person meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in over four years, Donald Trump expressed his willingness to collaborate with both Ukraine and Russia to find a resolution to the ongoing war that would be “good for both sides.” He highlighted his strong relationships with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have a very good relationship. I also have a very good relationship with President Putin and you know, I think if we win we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” Trump stated.
The meeting, which took place in New York before a private session between the leaders, saw Zelenskyy push back, stating, “I hope we have more good relations with us.”
Trump Tower was the venue for their joint appearance, occurring as the former president had recently criticized Zelenskyy during his campaign, asserting that the Ukrainian leader was “making little nasty aspersions toward your favorite president, me,” and labeling him as the "greatest salesman on Earth.”
Zelenskyy was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, engage with U.S. lawmakers, and meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He spent several days rallying support for Ukraine against Russia, which intensified its invasion two years ago.
Trump often claims that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if he had been president. He stressed that if elected again, he would facilitate discussions between the two nations to “get this settled,” suggesting any agreement would also benefit Russia. During a recent debate with Harris, Trump had refrained from declaring his support for a Ukrainian victory in the war.
“We can work out something that’s good for both sides, it’s time. And by the way, the president wants to get something done, he doesn't want to do this,” Trump remarked, with Zelenskyy standing nearby.
When Zelenskyy interrupted to assert that Trump has a better relationship with Ukraine than with Russia, Trump responded: “Ah, I see. But, it takes two to tango.”
“I think the fact that we’re even together today is a good sign, and hopefully we’ll have a good victory because if the other side wins, I don’t think we’re going to have victories with anything, to be honest with you,” he added.
The upcoming 2024 presidential election could significantly influence the situation in Ukraine. While Democrats maintain their promise of support for the Ukrainian effort against Russia, Trump and some Republican figures have been skeptical of the financial assistance extended to Kyiv. The former president indicated that he would aim to broker a deal between the conflicting countries.
During the appearance, Zelenskyy told the press he intended to share “all the plans, all the steps” and stressed the need to “stop Putin.” He reiterated that after November, decisive plans will be necessary, expressing hope that U.S. support would strengthen Ukraine's position, underscoring his choice to meet with both presidential candidates.
Following a meeting that lasted approximately one hour, a Ukrainian delegation spokesperson reported to PMG that things "went really well.”
"Trump was really attentive. We discussed our plan in detail, and talked about some key things," said a Ukrainian official, who did not provide further specifics.
Republicans have criticized Zelenskyy this week after he made unfavorable remarks about Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, during a recent interview. His visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant — which produces ammunition for the Ukrainian army — included several Democrats, such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was considered as a potential running mate by Harris.
This visit led House Oversight Chair James Comer to initiate a probe into the trip, while Speaker Mike Johnson called on Zelenskyy to dismiss his ambassador to the U.S. for organizing the journey. Johnson, who did not meet with Zelenskyy during this visit, claimed in a letter that no Republicans were included in the visit to the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Zelenskyy expressed to the New Yorker that Vance is “too radical” due to his opposition to U.S. aid for Kyiv, suggesting that Trump “doesn’t really know” how to resolve the conflict.
“My feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand. I’ve seen many leaders who were convinced they knew how to end it tomorrow, and as they waded deeper into it, they realized it’s not that simple.”
Trump and Zelenskyy have had a complex history since Trump's presidency, particularly when he withheld military aid to Ukraine, ostensibly to press the Ukrainian leader to investigate Biden and Hunter Biden's business dealings. Trump insisted there was “no quid pro quo,” but the conversation led to a formal House impeachment inquiry on counts of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
On Friday, Trump commended Zelenskyy for not being “cute” and for indicating that “President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong” regarding the phone call that spurred the first impeachment.
In attendance during the meeting were Ric Grenell, a Trump adviser and former acting director of National Intelligence, along with key campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles. This marked the first in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since a visit to the White House in 2019, although they have spoken by phone since.
It is common for foreign leaders to seek meetings with presidential candidates from both parties in the lead-up to elections. Trump dined with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in New York for two hours on Thursday night, and he also planned a meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. On Sunday, he was scheduled to meet with the prime minister of Qatar at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
After their meeting on Friday, Trump stated that he “learned a lot” and claimed that if he secures victory, a “very fair and I think, actually, a rather rapid deal” between Ukraine and Russia could be achieved, though he noted it was “too early” to divulge his plans for ending the war.
Veronika Melkozerova contributed to this report.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
“We have a very good relationship. I also have a very good relationship with President Putin and you know, I think if we win we’re going to get it resolved very quickly,” Trump stated.
The meeting, which took place in New York before a private session between the leaders, saw Zelenskyy push back, stating, “I hope we have more good relations with us.”
Trump Tower was the venue for their joint appearance, occurring as the former president had recently criticized Zelenskyy during his campaign, asserting that the Ukrainian leader was “making little nasty aspersions toward your favorite president, me,” and labeling him as the "greatest salesman on Earth.”
Zelenskyy was in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, engage with U.S. lawmakers, and meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He spent several days rallying support for Ukraine against Russia, which intensified its invasion two years ago.
Trump often claims that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if he had been president. He stressed that if elected again, he would facilitate discussions between the two nations to “get this settled,” suggesting any agreement would also benefit Russia. During a recent debate with Harris, Trump had refrained from declaring his support for a Ukrainian victory in the war.
“We can work out something that’s good for both sides, it’s time. And by the way, the president wants to get something done, he doesn't want to do this,” Trump remarked, with Zelenskyy standing nearby.
When Zelenskyy interrupted to assert that Trump has a better relationship with Ukraine than with Russia, Trump responded: “Ah, I see. But, it takes two to tango.”
“I think the fact that we’re even together today is a good sign, and hopefully we’ll have a good victory because if the other side wins, I don’t think we’re going to have victories with anything, to be honest with you,” he added.
The upcoming 2024 presidential election could significantly influence the situation in Ukraine. While Democrats maintain their promise of support for the Ukrainian effort against Russia, Trump and some Republican figures have been skeptical of the financial assistance extended to Kyiv. The former president indicated that he would aim to broker a deal between the conflicting countries.
During the appearance, Zelenskyy told the press he intended to share “all the plans, all the steps” and stressed the need to “stop Putin.” He reiterated that after November, decisive plans will be necessary, expressing hope that U.S. support would strengthen Ukraine's position, underscoring his choice to meet with both presidential candidates.
Following a meeting that lasted approximately one hour, a Ukrainian delegation spokesperson reported to PMG that things "went really well.”
"Trump was really attentive. We discussed our plan in detail, and talked about some key things," said a Ukrainian official, who did not provide further specifics.
Republicans have criticized Zelenskyy this week after he made unfavorable remarks about Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, during a recent interview. His visit to the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant — which produces ammunition for the Ukrainian army — included several Democrats, such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was considered as a potential running mate by Harris.
This visit led House Oversight Chair James Comer to initiate a probe into the trip, while Speaker Mike Johnson called on Zelenskyy to dismiss his ambassador to the U.S. for organizing the journey. Johnson, who did not meet with Zelenskyy during this visit, claimed in a letter that no Republicans were included in the visit to the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania.
Zelenskyy expressed to the New Yorker that Vance is “too radical” due to his opposition to U.S. aid for Kyiv, suggesting that Trump “doesn’t really know” how to resolve the conflict.
“My feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how,” Zelenskyy mentioned. “With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand. I’ve seen many leaders who were convinced they knew how to end it tomorrow, and as they waded deeper into it, they realized it’s not that simple.”
Trump and Zelenskyy have had a complex history since Trump's presidency, particularly when he withheld military aid to Ukraine, ostensibly to press the Ukrainian leader to investigate Biden and Hunter Biden's business dealings. Trump insisted there was “no quid pro quo,” but the conversation led to a formal House impeachment inquiry on counts of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
On Friday, Trump commended Zelenskyy for not being “cute” and for indicating that “President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong” regarding the phone call that spurred the first impeachment.
In attendance during the meeting were Ric Grenell, a Trump adviser and former acting director of National Intelligence, along with key campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles. This marked the first in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since a visit to the White House in 2019, although they have spoken by phone since.
It is common for foreign leaders to seek meetings with presidential candidates from both parties in the lead-up to elections. Trump dined with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in New York for two hours on Thursday night, and he also planned a meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. On Sunday, he was scheduled to meet with the prime minister of Qatar at his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
After their meeting on Friday, Trump stated that he “learned a lot” and claimed that if he secures victory, a “very fair and I think, actually, a rather rapid deal” between Ukraine and Russia could be achieved, though he noted it was “too early” to divulge his plans for ending the war.
Veronika Melkozerova contributed to this report.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
