Zelensky, who was in the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, presented his “win plan” in the war to Trump during a closed-door meeting on Friday, after the Republican presidential candidate said he would work with both Ukraine and Russia to end their conflict.
Zelensky said in a statement to Fox News after that meeting, “I do not know what will happen after the elections and who will be the president… but I got very direct information from Donald Trump that he will be on our side, and that he will support Ukraine.”
Zelensky used his visit to the United States to promote his victory plan, which a US official described as a reformulated request for more weapons and to lift restrictions on long-range missiles. The official said the plan assumed Russia’s final defeat in the war. Some officials believe that this goal is unrealistic.
Zelensky, who also met with US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, said that he is seeking unified American support in his ongoing war with Russia, and does not support any side in the US elections.
Trump said on Friday that he was happy to meet Zelensky, which represents a noticeable change in his tone compared to some of his previous comments during the election campaign.
The differences between Trump and Harris over Ukraine reflect the divisions in their Democratic and Republican parties, and their view of the American role in the world.
Trump and some Republicans in Congress questioned the value of US funding and additional weapons for Ukraine’s two-year-long battle against Russia, describing it as useless, while Democrats led by Biden sought to punish Russia and support Ukraine, and considered a Ukrainian victory a vital national security interest.
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