Trump To Meet Ukrainian President Zelenskiy After Criticizing In US Presidential Election Campaign

Donald Trump/PHOTO via Instagram @realdonaldtrump

JAKARTA - Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after criticizing him in the US campaign and expressing doubts about Ukraine's ability to win his war with Russia.

Trump, a Republican candidate in the November 5 presidential election, made the announcement on Thursday, September 26, just hours after Democratic Party President Joe Biden announced new military aid worth more than $8 billion to the US ally.

Zelenskiy has long sought a meeting with Trump. The two men spoke by telephone in July 2024 but have not seen each other in person since Trump's term as president ended in 2021.

During a news conference on Thursday, Trump reiterated his claim that he could quickly negotiate an agreement between Russia and Ukraine if he defeats Biden's vice president, Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate in the race for the White House.

"President Zelenskiy has asked to meet me, and I will meet him tomorrow (Friday) morning at around 09.45 at Trump Tower" in New York, Trump said.

When asked by reporters whether Ukraine might have to hand over one of its territory to reach a peace deal with Moscow, Trump did not rule it out.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

Shortly before Trump's comments, Harris promised support for Ukraine and said those who wanted Ukraine to exchange their territory for peace with Russia supported the proposed self-resignal.