Zelensky and Trump meet amid rising tensions over Ukraine war

On Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Donald Trump. Let us remind you, the former US president has claimed from the beginning that if he wins the next election, he will very quickly bring the war to an end.

"We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled and get it worked out. It has to end. At some point, it has to end," Trump said, welcoming Zelensky at Trump Tower in New York. "He’s gone through hell. His country has gone through hell," he added.

Answering a question about why he decided to meet with the former president, Zelensky stated that he thinks they share the view that the war in Ukraine must be stopped, that Putin cannot win, and that Ukraine must win. "I want to discuss the details about that with you," the Ukrainian president added.

We have a very good relationship, and I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin. And I think if we win, we’re going to get it resolved very quickly - Trump clearly surprised the standing Zelensky. The Ukrainian president did not lose his composure and quickly retorted: "I hope we have more good relations between us."

"Oh, I see. It takes two to tango, you know," Trump replied.

"We both want to see this end, and we both want to see a fair deal made," Trump assured after the meeting. He noted that everyone is interested in ending the war as soon as possible, while Zelensky, in his opinion, is keen on a just end to the war. The Republicans emphasized that even Putin wants to end the war, which is "a very good sign."

"The president wants it to end, and he wants it to end as quickly as possible. He wants a fair transaction to take place," Trump said, but again refused to disclose details of his peace plan.

Zelensky stated that the war should not have started at all and added that pressure must be put on Vladimir Putin and peace must be ensured, especially for the families of the deceased. "We need to do everything to pressure him to stop this war. He is in our territory. That's most important to understand. He is in our territory," the Ukrainian president thundered.

The meeting between Trump and Zelensky came after their planned talks were initially canceled after a series of gestures and statements that outraged both sides.

Zelensky outraged Trump and part of the Republicans with his interview for "The New Yorker," in which he criticized both Trump and his vice-presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance, whom he called "too radical" in connection with his proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine by a ceasefire along the current front lines.

Zelensky also said that Trump does not know how to stop the war, even if he may think he does. Similar outrage was sparked by Zelensky's visit on Sunday to an artillery ammunition factory in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was accompanied by Democratic politicians, state Governor Josh Shapiro, and Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey.

In recent days, Trump has criticized Zelensky for not striking a deal with Putin that would have prevented or ended the war. He mocked him as "the greatest salesman in history" because of the aid received from the USA. He claimed Zelensky wanted a Democratic victory in the elections and accused him of "small nasty slanders" about him.

Zelensky criticized both Trump and his vice-presidential candidate, Senator JD Vance, whom he called "too radical" in connection with his proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine by a ceasefire along the current front lines.