Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Nov. 5 invited former President Donald Trump to Ukraine, pushing back on the former president’s claim that he could bring peace in 24 hours if reelected.
In March, President Trump accused President Joe Biden of incompetently handling the Russo-Ukrainian War, which he said he could solve in 24 hours.
“If it’s not solved, I will have it solved in 24 hours with Zelenskyy and with Putin,” President Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity in March.
Though he was light on details about how he’d bring this about, saying that he didn’t want to give away strategy, President Trump said that resolving the conflict would be “a very easy negotiation.”
“I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them,” President Trump said.
During a Nov. 5 appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Mr. Zelenskyy pushed back on this position.
“Former President Trump, who is the GOP front runner, has said that if he is reelected, he could end this war in 24 hours,” Ms. Welker said. “What is your reaction and message to former President Trump about that?”
Mr. Zelenskyy replied, “Former President Trump said that in about 24 hours, that he can manage it and finish the work for me. What can I say? He’s very welcome.”
He added, “I invite President Trump. If he can come here, I will need 24 minutes—yes, 24 minutes, not more—to explain [to] President Trump that he can’t manage this war. He can’t bring peace because of … Putin.”
Specifically, Mr. Zelenskyy explained that President Trump couldn’t bring about peace without agreeing to cede Ukrainian territory to the Russian Federation.
Currently, Russia occupies Crimea—where it has been since 2014—as well as the eastern provinces of Ukraine.
Mr. Zelenskyy said, “If he’s not ready to give our territory for this terrible man—for … Putin—if you’re not ready to give it, if you’re not ready to give our independency, he can’t manage it.”
Mr. Zelenskyy also revealed that he hasn’t spoken with President Trump since the latter left office in January 2021.
By Joseph Lord
