Former US President Donald Trump criticized the US aid for Ukraine and claimed on 23 September 2024 that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants the Democrats to win the 2024 US election, in which Republican Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate, as per Reuters.
While Trump mentioned last week that he would “probably” meet with Zelenskyy during the Ukrainian president’s visit to the US for the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, sources close to the former president told Reuters that no meeting has been set.
Speaking at a rally in western Pennsylvania, Trump criticized US aid to Ukraine despite the fact that most of the allocated funds have been spent within the US for military production, stating,
“I think Zelenskyy is the greatest salesman in history. Every time he comes into the country, he walks away with 60 billion dollars.” He added, “He wants them to win this election so badly, but I would do differently – I will work out peace.”
The Harris campaign responded to Trump’s remarks in an emailed statement, saying,
“Vice President Harris understands that if America walks away from Ukraine, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe and our NATO allies.”
Zelenskyy, who visited a weapons factory in Pennsylvania over the weekend alongside Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, stated on 23 September that decisive action by the United States now could hasten the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine next year.
Trump has consistently described US aid to Ukraine as a waste of money, and has not explicitly stated that he wants Ukraine to win the war. Instead, he claimed he would “end the war,” implying through his rhetoric that negotiations could result in Ukraine making concessions to Russia, though he has not directly stated this. He gave no details of his “peace” plan beyond saying he would call Putin and Zelenskyy to urge them to work out an accord if he wins the 5 November election.
Related:
- US Congress nears deal to extend expiring $6 billion Ukraine aid package, Reuters sources say
- Zelenskyy: We are closer to end of war than we think, but Ukraine should be strengthened
- CNN: Zelenskyy says long-range weapons ban lift key part of his “Victory Plan”
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine’s “Victory Plan” ready, will present it to Biden, Trump, Harris next week
- “Political violence has no place anywhere in world” – Zelenskyy condemns attempted assassination of Trump
- The New Yorker: Zelenskyy warns of “very long war” if Biden doesn’t support his victory plan
- Zelenskyy says Trump pledged support for Ukraine during July phone call
