In a significant diplomatic encounter, former President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time in five years, addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. This meeting comes on the heels of Trump’s controversial impeachment in 2019, which was largely triggered by a phone call with Zelenskyy that centered around allegations involving Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. During their meeting, Trump took the opportunity to revisit the impeachment saga, labeling it a “hoax” and claiming that Zelenskyy had expressed that he did nothing wrong during that phone call.
Standing next to Zelenskyy before their closed-door discussions, Trump made a strong case for the necessity of peace, stating, “At some point, it has to end. He’s gone through hell. His country has gone through hell.” He emphasized his belief that a resolution could be reached, declaring, “We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled.” Trump expressed confidence in his ability to negotiate a deal that he believes would be “good for both sides.”
Zelenskyy reciprocated by indicating a shared vision with Trump regarding Ukraine’s resilience against Russian aggression. He noted the importance of a robust U.S. response to the situation, especially in light of the upcoming elections, saying, “We understand that after November … we hope that the strength of the United States will be very strong.” This acknowledgment underscored the potential impact of U.S. domestic politics on international relations.
Trump further elaborated on his view of the war, describing it as a “complicated puzzle” and refraining from specifying what a fair deal might entail, stating, “It’s too early to say that.” His insistence on a negotiated settlement highlights a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, should he regain the presidency.
After their discussions, Trump spoke to Fox News, reiterating that his stance on the conflict had not changed and that both he and Zelenskyy wanted to see the war come to a conclusion. Trump pointed out the necessity of engaging with both Russia and Ukraine to reach a peaceful resolution, emphasizing, “It takes two to tango, and we will.”
However, the narrative surrounding U.S. support for Ukraine was further complicated by comments made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of Trump’s prominent surrogates, during a rally in Walker, Michigan. Kennedy argued against continued U.S. aid to Ukraine, suggesting that NATO’s actions had provoked Russia’s invasion and asserting that American resources should be redirected to domestic needs. He declared, “Don’t you think we could use that money over here, in this country?” This sentiment resonated with the rally audience, reflecting a growing skepticism among some segments of the U.S. population regarding extensive foreign aid.
Kennedy also praised Trump’s handling of the meeting with Zelenskyy, suggesting that Trump was strategically considering the financial implications for the U.S. He humorously stated, “I want to turn this guy over and hold him by his legs and shake all the money out of his pockets,” referring to the substantial aid Ukraine received and the need to focus on American priorities.
Overall, the meeting and the subsequent commentary illustrate the complexity of U.S. involvement in the Ukraine crisis, as well as the divergent perspectives within American politics on how to approach foreign aid and international diplomacy. As the political landscape shifts with the upcoming elections, the dialogue surrounding Ukraine will likely continue to evolve, shaped by both domestic sentiments and international realities. The interaction between Trump and Zelenskyy, while underscored by past controversies, could signal a renewed focus on negotiating peace in a war that has caused immense suffering and instability.
WAR HISTORY
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, its war against Ukraine has had a disastrous impact on civilian life, killing thousands of civilians, injuring many thousands more, and destroying civilian property and infrastructure.
Russian forces committed a litany of violations of international humanitarian law, including indiscriminate and disproportionate bombing and shelling of civilian areas that hit homes and healthcare and educational facilities.
Some of these attacks should be investigated as war crimes. In areas they occupied, Russian or Russian-affiliated forces committed apparent war crimes, including torture, summary executions, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and looting of cultural property. Those who attempted to flee areas of fighting faced terrifying ordeals and numerous obstacles; in some cases, Russian forces forcibly transferred significant numbers of Ukrainians to Russia or Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and subjected many to abusive security screenings. Russian forces’ countrywide, repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy and other critical infrastructure appeared aimed at terrorizing civilians and making their life unsustainable, which is a war crime.
In a notable diplomatic engagement, former President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time in five years, aiming to discuss the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This meeting was particularly significant given the historical context; Trump had been impeached in 2019 following a phone call with Zelenskyy in which he was accused of soliciting interference in the 2020 U.S. elections by pressuring Ukraine to investigate President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
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HARRIS MEET ZELENKSY
Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump’s “surrender policy” regarding Ukraine during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. While not mentioning Trump directly, she condemned proposals that would force Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, calling them “proposals for surrender” aligned with Vladimir Putin’s interests. President Biden, also meeting with Zelensky, reaffirmed U.S. support, announcing a new military aid package worth nearly $8 billion and declaring, “Russia will not prevail.” Zelensky expressed gratitude for the ongoing U.S. support but faces uncertainty as the U.S. presidential election approaches on November 5, which could impact future aid.
TRUMP FEDBACK
During the meeting, Trump made a pointed remark about his impeachment, characterizing it as a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats. He asserted that if re-elected, he would work to broker a peace deal that he believed could be advantageous for both Ukraine and Russia. “It has to end. At some point, it has to end. He’s gone through hell. His country has gone through hell,” Trump stated, emphasizing the urgency for a resolution to the war.
Standing alongside Zelenskyy while addressing reporters, Trump highlighted their shared interest in reaching a settlement, noting the necessity of collaboration with both parties involved in the conflict. “We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled,” he said. He also claimed to maintain a strong relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he suggested could be instrumental in facilitating negotiations.
Zelenskyy expressed optimism about their discussions and reaffirmed his belief that both leaders share a common goal: Ukraine’s victory against Russian aggression. He noted the critical importance of U.S. support as the elections approach, saying, “We understand that after November … we hope that the strength of the United States will be very strong.” This statement underscored the potential influence of U.S. domestic politics on international relations, particularly concerning military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
After the closed-door meeting, Trump spoke to Fox News, reiterating his unchanged stance on the war. He described the situation as a “complicated puzzle” and, when pressed for specifics about what a “fair deal” would entail, he remarked that it was “too early to say that.” His cautious approach reflects the complexities involved in negotiating peace in a multi-faceted conflict.
The backdrop of their meeting was further complicated by comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of Trump’s prominent surrogates, who spoke at a rally in Walker, Michigan. Kennedy argued against continued U.S. aid to Ukraine, asserting that NATO’s actions had provoked Russia’s invasion. He posed a provocative question to the audience: “Don’t you think we could use that money over here, in this country?” This sentiment resonated deeply, eliciting strong applause from the crowd and illustrating a growing faction of American voters who are skeptical about extensive foreign aid.
Kennedy praised Trump’s approach to the meeting with Zelenskyy, suggesting that Trump was calculating how to extract financial benefits from the situation. He quipped, “I want to turn this guy over and hold him by his legs and shake all the money out of his pockets,” referencing the substantial aid Ukraine has received from the U.S. and framing it as a need to prioritize domestic issues over foreign commitments.
As the political landscape continues to shift with the upcoming elections, the dialogue surrounding U.S. involvement in the Ukraine crisis is expected to evolve. The interplay between Trump’s emphasis on negotiation and Kennedy’s critique of foreign aid highlights the diverging views within the Republican Party on how to approach international conflicts. This meeting not only rekindled discussions about the past but also opened the door to future strategies that could reshape U.S. foreign policy, especially concerning Russia and Ukraine.
Overall, the encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy underscores the intricate dynamics of international diplomacy, where historical grievances, political ambitions, and the pressing need for conflict resolution intersect. The repercussions of their discussions could significantly impact both U.S. domestic policy and international relations in the months to come.
Trump says he will negotiate a Ukraine-Russia deal ‘that’s good for both sides’
Meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy for the first time in five years, former President Donald Trump Friday complained about his 2019 impeachment and said if re-elected, he would work to end the Russia-Ukraine war with a deal “that’s good for both sides.”
“We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled and get it worked out,” Trump said, standing next to Zelenskyy while speaking to a small group of reporters ahead of their closed-door meeting. “It has to end. At some point, it has to end. He’s gone through hell. His country has gone through hell.”
Trump said the two leaders “have a very good relationship, and I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin.” Zelenskyy added that he hoped they would continue to have a good relationship.
“It takes two to tango, and we will,” Trump responded.
After their meeting, Trump told Fox News that he had not changed his position on the war. “We both want to see this end, we both want to see a fair deal made,” he said.
Trump said that the war is a “complicated puzzle” and when asked what a fair deal would entail, he said it’s “too early to say that.”
In his comments before the meeting began, the former president ranted about his 2019 impeachment as a consequence of the now-infamous phone call he had with Zelenskyy in July of that year.
During the July phone call, Trump asked Zelenskyy about opening an investigation into President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. Various officials, including the top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine, Bill Taylor, said that Trump held up aid to Ukraine over his demands to have its government investigate the Bidens.
“It was a hoax, just a Democrat hoax, which we won,” Trump said of the impeachment effort, with Zelenskyy standing by his side Friday. Trump has long denied wrongdoing and was acquitted in his Senate trial.
He claimed that Zelenskyy said that Trump did nothing wrong during their phone call, saying that the Ukrainian president “said it loud and clear and the impeachment hoax died right there.” He praised Zelenskyy for being “like a piece of steel.”
Speaking briefly, Zelenskyy said he believes he and Trump have a common view that Ukraine has to prevail against Russia and acknowledged the importance of the U.S. election. “We understand that after November … we hope that the strength of the United States will be very strong,” he said.
Hours later, one of Trump’s top surrogates, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaking at a Trump rally in Walker, Michigan, argued against further aiding Ukraine. Kennedy suggested that NATO provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and argued that the U.S. should no longer be helping Zelenskyy and his people.
“Don’t you think we could use that money over here, in this country?” Kennedy said, drawing heavy applause.
Kennedy praised Trump’s handling of his meeting with Zelenskyy and said, “I know what Donald Trump was thinking while he was having that meeting. He was thinking, I want to turn this guy over and hold him by his legs and shake all the money out of his pockets and hope it adds up to $208 billion … That’s what the Democrats gave him, and we need to bring that money home.”
