Zelenskiy States Trump Assured Him of Support for Ukraine in Conflict with Russia, Reports Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy recently shared in an interview that he has received clear assurances from Donald Trump regarding support for Ukraine if the former U.S. president is reelected in the upcoming November election. This statement was made during Zelenskiy’s visit to the United States for the U.N. General Assembly.

During a private meeting with Trump, Zelenskiy presented his “victory plan” for the ongoing conflict with Russia. This meeting followed Trump’s earlier comments about pursuing negotiations with both Ukraine and Russia to resolve the war. Reflecting on his discussion with Trump, Zelenskiy stated, “I don’t know what will be after elections and who will be the president … But I’ve got very direct information from Donald Trump that he will be on our side, that he will support Ukraine.”

While in the U.S., Zelenskiy aimed to garner unified support for Ukraine, emphasizing his desire to avoid taking sides in the American electoral process. “I don’t want to be involved in the election period … I don’t want to lose one or another part of Americans,” he stated.

Zelenskiy’s “victory plan,” which seeks an increase in military aid and the lifting of restrictions on long-range missile usage, has been described by U.S. officials as a reshaped request for support, aiming for a decisive defeat of Russia in the conflict. However, some officials consider the objectives of the plan to be overly ambitious.

During his visit, Zelenskiy also met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, reinforcing his call for consistent support in the fight against Russia.

In contrast, Trump’s recent remarks regarding Zelenskiy marked a notable shift in tone from his previous campaign rhetoric. The differing perspectives on Ukraine between Trump and Harris reflect broader divisions within the Democratic and Republican parties regarding America’s role in international affairs. Trump and some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns over the effectiveness of U.S. funding for Ukraine, labeling it as ineffective, while Democrats, spearheaded by Biden, advocate for strong measures against Russia and significant support for Ukraine, viewing its success as crucial to national security.