Quick Hit:

Former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in New York on Friday for high-stakes discussions centered on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. The meeting marks the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders in five years. Both emphasized the need for peace, with Trump expressing confidence that the conflict could be swiftly resolved under his leadership.

Key Details:

• The two met at Trump Tower, with Zelenskyy noting that their last in-person meeting occurred five years ago. The Ukrainian president expressed hope for finding common ground and ending the war.

• Trump, citing his relationships with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, voiced optimism about bringing the war to a quick resolution, saying, "If we win, I think we're going to get it resolved very quickly … it takes two to tango."

• The meeting followed Zelenskyy's talks with U.S. leaders, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as Ukraine seeks continued American support in the face of Russian aggression.

Diving Deeper:

On Friday, former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in New York for a critical meeting at Trump Tower. This face-to-face interaction comes five years after their last encounter, and the conversation centered on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Both leaders expressed the need to find a solution to end the conflict and ensure Ukraine's victory.

Zelenskyy, reflecting on their previous meetings, shared his determination to stop the war and stressed the importance of continued support. "I think we have a common view that the war in Ukraine has to be stopped, and Putin can't win, and Ukraine has to prevail," Zelenskyy said before the meeting, signaling his intent to collaborate with Trump on a path toward peace.

Trump emphasized that if reelected, he would swiftly bring an end to the conflict. "If we win, I think we're going to get it resolved very quickly … I really think we're going to get it … but, you know, it takes two to tango," Trump stated. His remarks underscored his belief that his leadership could expedite a resolution between Ukraine and Russia.

During the meeting, Trump expressed gratitude to Zelenskyy for his support during the 2019 impeachment inquiry, a moment that became pivotal in Trump's eventual acquittal by the Senate. "One of the reasons we won it so easily is that when he [Zelenskyy] was asked… he said President Trump did absolutely nothing wrong. He said it loud and clear, and the impeachment hoax died right there," Trump remarked, acknowledging the Ukrainian leader's role in defusing the political controversy.

The meeting occurred after Zelenskyy’s engagements with President Biden and Vice President Harris. During those talks, Harris subtly criticized positions that align with Trump’s past suggestions that Ukraine might need to concede territory for peace negotiations. Despite differing views, Trump remains optimistic about his ability to facilitate a deal that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty while securing a peaceful outcome.

Leading up to the meeting, Trump shared a private message from Zelenskyy on Truth Social, where the Ukrainian president requested the opportunity to meet directly. With the war in Ukraine ongoing, this meeting could mark a key moment in shaping future U.S.-Ukraine relations. Trump’s approach to ending the conflict through decisive diplomacy offers a potential path to lasting peace, should he return to the White House in 2024.