|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Trump to Meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky Amid Speculation on Their Relationship
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Former President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, further igniting speculation about the state of their relationship. According to a report on Thursday in The New York Post, Trump informed reporters at Trump Tower that the meeting is set for Friday morning at approximately 9:45 AM. “As you know, President Zelensky has asked to meet with me, and I will be meeting with him tomorrow morning,” Trump said, speaking from his Midtown skyscraper.
#WATCH: Trump has now announced that he is meeting with Zelensky tomorrow morning. pic.twitter.com/EfPz0xUadC
— CanadaRelatedTV (@CanadaRelatedTV) September 27, 2024
The announcement comes at a critical time, just one day after Zelensky met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, D.C. Zelensky’s diplomatic tour also took him to Pennsylvania, where he met with Democratic governor Josh Shapiro, a Harris surrogate. This particular visit drew criticism from some Republican leaders, who viewed the Ukrainian president’s stop in a key swing state with suspicion. The New York Post report highlighted that certain members of the GOP voiced frustration over Zelensky’s decision to visit Pennsylvania during a politically charged time.
During a wide-ranging news conference at Trump Tower, Trump reiterated his campaign promise to broker a peace deal that would put an end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted over 31 months. According to The New York Post, Trump expressed his desire to “save lives” in Ukraine but remained tight-lipped about the specifics of any potential agreement.
“I don’t want to tell you what that looks like,” Trump said when asked about the terms of a possible peace plan. He has consistently claimed that his plan to end the conflict is ready, but he intends to withhold the details until after he assumes office. Despite this, Trump has asserted that he could end the war before officially taking the oath of office, during the period between the 2024 presidential election and the Jan. 20 inauguration.
Trump, known for his often brash and confident tone, adopted a more serious demeanor when discussing the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As The New York Post reported, Trump spoke emotionally about the destruction caused by Russia’s invasion, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss of life and history. His remarks come at a time when the war has entered its 31st month, showing no signs of resolution despite continued diplomatic and military efforts.
“When you look at those cities, they’re all knocked down, those beautiful, gorgeous golden domes, they’re shattered and lying on their side never to be replaced again. You can’t ever replace that,” Trump lamented, as quoted by The New York Post. His description of Ukraine’s once-vibrant cities painted a vivid picture of the devastation wrought by Russia’s invasion. The damage goes far beyond infrastructure—Trump emphasized the cultural and historical heritage that has been shattered, perhaps forever.
In his remarks, Trump also drew attention to the human cost of the war, pointing out the dire situation facing the Ukrainian military. According to The New York Post, Trump expressed sorrow over the loss of life and the fact that Ukraine is now relying on “old soldiers, old men, and young boys” to continue the fight. This imagery serves as a stark reminder of the desperation Ukraine faces as the conflict drags on, depleting its military resources and human capital.
Donald Trump Truth Social 04:01 PM EST 09/26/24 @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/dyLkLJoztk
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 26, 2024
“When you look at the heritage of that really very vibrant country in so many different ways, and you see how it’s been so broken, the people, so many people dead where they have to use old soldiers, old men, and young boys, because they’re running out of soldiers,” Trump noted. His words underscore the immense human suffering that has come to define the war, as millions of Ukrainians are either displaced, killed, or injured in a conflict that shows no signs of ending soon.
When asked directly whether he would advise Ukraine to cede land to Russia as part of peace negotiations, Trump avoided giving a definitive answer, instead suggesting that it would depend on the circumstances. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump said, according to The New York Post, leaving the door open to a range of possibilities without committing to a specific course of action.
This lack of clarity on Trump’s part has drawn both praise and criticism. On the one hand, his approach leaves room for negotiation, something that many advocates for peace see as necessary to end the war. On the other hand, critics argue that any suggestion of ceding territory to Russia could weaken Ukraine’s bargaining position and reward Russian aggression. Trump’s noncommittal stance adds a layer of uncertainty to his potential foreign policy, leaving many to speculate on how he would handle the conflict if re-elected.
So Zalensky goes from signing bombs with democrats to sending messages to Trump that he wants peace. Hmmmm 🤔
— TLC (@womanstand01) September 26, 2024
This shift in tone underscores Trump’s intention to engage more diplomatically with Zelensky and other world leaders. The Post reported that by emphasizing the importance of peace and humanitarian aid, Trump is positioning himself as a potential peacemaker, a role that aligns with his broader foreign policy approach of negotiating from a position of strength while minimizing U.S. military involvement.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking alongside Zelensky, criticized Trump’s stance on the war, accusing him of wanting to effectively surrender parts of Ukraine to Russia. Harris, who reiterated the Biden administration’s steadfast support for Ukraine, suggested that Trump’s approach could lead to ceding territory to Russia, a move that many critics argue would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
In response to Harris’ accusations, Trump clarified his position, expressing his desire to end the war and “save lives” but stopped short of providing a detailed plan. According to The New York Post, Trump responded to Harris’ criticism by stating, “I want to save lives. Millions of people are dead, millions more than they even think about, and it’s not my fight, but it is a fight to save humanity.” His statement reflects a complex position: while Trump maintains that the U.S. should not be directly involved in the conflict, he also acknowledges the war’s broader implications for human suffering and global stability.
Trump’s scheduled meeting with Zelensky also highlights the complex political landscape surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The New York Post notes that Zelensky’s visits with key figures in both major U.S. political parties underscore Ukraine’s diplomatic balancing act, as the war-torn nation seeks continued support from the U.S. government regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election.
For Trump, the meeting is an opportunity to bolster his foreign policy credentials and showcase his ability to engage with world leaders on critical issues. For Zelensky, it provides a chance to maintain bipartisan support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, a vital concern as the war shows no signs of abating.
As Zelensky navigates between current U.S. leadership and prospective future administrations, his diplomatic strategy is clear: Ukraine’s survival depends on sustained military and financial backing from the United States. The New York Post report emphasized that this balancing act has put Zelensky in the unique position of having to court both Democratic and Republican leaders, particularly as divisions within the GOP on further Ukraine aid become more pronounced.
