Trump, Zelenskyy Meet in NY

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Facts

  • Former US Pres. Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, met with Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower in New York on Friday.[1]
  • Prior to the meeting, Trump characterized his relationship with Zelenskyy as 'very good' while also saying he has a 'very good relationship' with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin. Trump noted that the three-year war between the countries 'has to end' because Zelenskyy and his country have 'gone through hell like few countries have.'[2][3]
  • In a post on X, Zelenskyy called the meeting 'very productive' and said he presented Ukraine's 'Victory Plan' to Trump. Zelenskyy also wrote he was 'grateful' the former president had hosted him. He concluded the post by writing, 'Ukrainians must prevail.'[4]
  • This comes as Trump criticized Zelenskyy on Wednesday for allegedly 'making little nasty aspersions' toward him. While Trump didn't specify what those were, Zelenskyy recently criticized the former president in a magazine article, casting doubt on Trump's claims he could end the war.[5]
  • Zelenskyy also met with Pres. Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, separately on Thursday, with Harris pledging ongoing US support for Ukraine.[6][7]
  • Following his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Biden said he directed the US Department of Defense to release all available funds earmarked for Ukraine before the end of his presidency.[6][8]

Sources: [1]Independent, [2]BBC News, [3]Guardian, [4]X.com, [5]ABC News, [6]Verity, [7]FOX News and [8]The White House.

Narratives

  • Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Mail. Trump showed his diplomatic side by agreeing to meet with Zelenskyy despite the Ukrainian president's criticisms of the former US president. Trump's relationship with Putin will help get the two sides to the bargaining table. No one has yet found a solution to this crisis, so it'd be wise for Zelenskyy to follow Trump's path to lasting peace in the region.
  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Personal history with Trump should tell Zelenskyy to be wary of any promises. It was Trump's ethically murky call with Zelenskyy that got the former president impeached, and Trump has been vocal on the campaign trail about his skepticism over continuing to support Ukraine.