Volodymyr Zelensky Says He Is Open To Peace Talks With Russia After Talking To Donald Trump
Former President Trump vowed to “bring peace” after he spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.
“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States,” Trump posted to his Truth Social site.
Trump said Zelensky condemned the “heinous” assassination attempt against the former president last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in unity.
Trump said that it was a “very good call” and that he will work to negotiate a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. A person close to Zelenskyy who requested anonymity to discuss the private conversation said it went “exceedingly well” and that Trump pledged to “achieve a just peace in Ukraine” if he wins back the White House.
“I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families,” Trump wrote. “Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”
Zelensky said he agreed with Trump to discuss “at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting.”
The call marks a turning point for Trump and Zelensky. Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, a year after Joe Biden took office, over heated disputes of continued, and unwarranted, militant NATO expansion.