Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently revealed details from a phone call with former President Donald Trump, in which Trump assured him of support and expressed empathy for Kyiv. During an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Zelenskyy noted that Trump had conveyed strong backing, stating he understood the challenges of enduring a war.
Zelenskyy also shared that he plans to present his strategy for dealing with Russia to both Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. When asked about Trump’s assertion that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict “within a few days,” Zelenskyy expressed skepticism, suggesting the statement might be merely an election tactic.
The Ukrainian leader voiced concern that such election messages could be misleading and unsettling. He recalled a supportive conversation with Trump from about two months ago, emphasizing that Trump had shown understanding and commitment to aiding Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s comments follow recent remarks from Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, who proposed that peace negotiations could involve establishing a heavily fortified demilitarized zone along the Russia-Ukraine border. Vance suggested that Trump might push for a settlement that involves a demilitarized area separating the two countries, a proposal discussed on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast.
The full interview with Zelenskyy, where he further discusses his interactions with the presidential candidates and his plans, is set to air on Sunday.
