Former US President Donald Trump, now a Republican presidential candidate for the November elections, is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday at Trump Tower in New York. The meeting comes on the heels of Trump’s announcement at a press conference on the evening of September 26, where he confirmed his plans to host Zelenskyy.
Yulia Yarmolenko, a journalist for the Ukrainian service of Voice of America, reported that while Zelenskyy has extended his US visit by one day, the Ukrainian delegation has yet to confirm the specifics of the meeting with Trump. Zelenskyy’s trip coincides with his participation in the United Nations General Assembly, where he is also expected to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Until recently, Trump had not publicly acknowledged any plans to meet with Zelenskyy, despite the increasing tension surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine. At various campaign rallies, Trump has openly criticized Zelenskyy, claiming that the Ukrainian leader refuses to negotiate peace even as cities in his country continue to suffer devastation.
Trump has labeled Zelenskyy as “the greatest seller on earth,” suggesting that the Ukrainian president brings billions of dollars in aid requests to the US during each visit.
On September 26, prior to his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy met with President Biden and Vice President Harris in Washington, D.C., where they reaffirmed the US’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. In a significant announcement, Biden revealed an additional $7.9 billion in aid for Ukraine. Zelenskyy also presented a “victory plan,” details of which have not been disclosed, but it reportedly focuses on military and economic assistance, enhancing security, and pressuring Russia to cease its aggression.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that the Biden administration is dissatisfied with the specifics of Zelenskyy’s plan, raising questions about the future of US support for Ukraine as the conflict continues. The unfolding events highlight the complexities of US-Ukraine relations amid the backdrop of an election season, with candidates navigating the pressing issues of foreign policy and international support.
