Trump set to meet Zelensky amid GOP tensions over Ukraine assistance

Former President Donald Trump is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower on Friday morning. This meeting provides Zelensky an opportunity to appeal directly to a GOP presidential candidate who has expressed skepticism about ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Trump confirmed the meeting to reporters on Thursday, despite earlier uncertainties surrounding the encounter due to critical remarks exchanged between both leaders. The significance of this meeting comes at a crucial time for Zelensky, particularly as the U.S. gears up for the November elections. He has been working to persuade the Biden administration that Ukraine can still achieve victory in the war, contingent upon a substantial increase in military aid from the U.S. and its allies.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has voiced concerns over the amount of U.S. funding directed toward Ukraine, insisting he could swiftly bring an end to the conflict, which escalated after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Zelensky, however, has countered Trump’s assertions, stating that the former president lacks a realistic plan to resolve the situation.

“I look forward to seeing him,” Trump said. “We’ll see — I do believe I disagree with him — well, he doesn’t know me. I disagree, but I will say this: I believe I will be able to make a deal between President Putin and President Zelensky quite quickly.”

On the eve of his meeting with Trump, Zelensky met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. During this appearance, Harris emphasized the stark differences between Biden’s administration and Trump’s views on Ukraine. She cautioned against suggestions that Ukraine should surrender territory or abandon its alliances.

Zelensky’s meeting with Trump comes amid an intense U.S. political campaign, echoing past tensions when he was embroiled in Trump’s first impeachment inquiry five years ago. At that time, Trump faced accusations of withholding military aid to Ukraine while pressuring Zelensky to investigate his political rival, Joe Biden. This led to Trump’s impeachment by House Democrats.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Thursday to reveal that he had spoken with Zelensky recently. However, initial expectations for an in-person meeting during Zelensky’s visit to the U.S. appeared uncertain earlier in the week.

At a campaign rally on Wednesday, Trump openly criticized Zelensky, asserting that the Ukrainian leader had failed to negotiate with Russia effectively. “Those cities are gone, they’re gone, and we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to make a deal,” Trump said, alluding to the devastating impact of the war. “There was no deal that he could have made that wouldn’t have been better than the situation you have right now.”

Adding to the tension, Trump’s Republican allies in Congress have expressed frustration with Zelensky, particularly regarding his recent visit to a Pennsylvania ammunition plant alongside Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. Critics argue that Zelensky’s actions in this pivotal battleground state, which has a significant Ukrainian population, are politically motivated. House Speaker Mike Johnson even called for the dismissal of the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S.

Zelensky has also voiced his concerns about Trump, suggesting that the former president might not fully grasp how to end the war. “My feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how,” he stated. “With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand.”

When pressed about whether he believes Ukraine should cede territory to Russia to resolve the conflict, Trump left the door open, responding, “We’ll see what happens.”

As this meeting unfolds, the implications for U.S.-Ukraine relations and the ongoing conflict with Russia are substantial. The divergent views within the Republican Party regarding military assistance to Ukraine further complicate the landscape. The outcome of Trump and Zelensky’s discussions may not only impact their respective political futures but could also shape the trajectory of U.S. involvement in Ukraine amidst a rapidly changing global landscape.