Trump engages in a meeting with Zelenskyy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmonious ties with Putin
Following a series of negotiations, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky eventually crossed paths. The Ukrainian leader later revealed that their discussion was quite fruitful, but there was a moment of bewilderment as well.
During his extended stay in the United States, Zelensky also convened with Trump, a renowned Republican presidential nominee who advocated against the substantial US funding for Kyiv and had the potential to drastically alter US-Ukraine policy if he secured a second term. The meeting at Trump Tower in New York marked the culmination of days of rumors surrounding a possible cancellation.
Upon concluding their encounter, Trump expressed his opinion on the Ukraine conflict, labeling it as a "regretful situation" that should never have escalated. He described it as a "intricate puzzle," yet assured, "we will decipher it."
Trump: Acknowledges Strong Ties with Zelensky
At the outset of the interaction, Trump commended his bond with Zelensky, stating, "We share a strong connection, and it's no secret that I maintain a solid rapport with President Putin as well." Zelensky, appearing momentarily surprised, replied, expressing his hope for an even stronger relationship between them. They both agreed on the necessity of ending the war. Later that evening, Zelensky posted on his social media platform, expressing satisfaction with the candidate's viewpoints.
Trump has been a vocal opponent of the substantial US funding for Ukraine and has sought to pressure the Ukraine leadership into reaching a resolution with Russia. In recent days, he had taken aim at Zelensky, branding him as "perhaps the wealthiest entrepreneur worldwide." According to Trump, each of Zelensky's visits to the United States resulted in him taking "60 billion dollars."
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While Trump accused Zelensky of refusing a "compromise" with Russia, critics interpreted it as a tacit concession to Russia and accused Trump of aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance.
During his recent engagements in New York at the UN General Debate and his visit to Washington, Zelensky advocated for further assistance for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia. In his address to the UN General Assembly, he declared his country's resolve to never succumb to an outside-imposed settlement.
In the midst of their discussion, Zelensky acknowledged the presence of a formidable ally in Trump, the President of the Council during his tenure as a presidential nominee. Subsequently, Zelensky expressed gratitude for Trump's understanding of the intricate Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the importance of ending the war.
