In a bold move, former President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had a productive phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which he pledged to end the war with Russia if re-elected.
Trump shared on Truth Social that Zelensky congratulated him on his nomination as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election and denounced the recent assassination attempt on Trump. Trump, in turn, assured that he would restore peace and end the conflict that has caused significant loss and destruction.
“I appreciate President Zelensky 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. He expressed confidence that a negotiated settlement could be reached to stop the violence and lead to prosperity.
Zelensky confirmed the discussion on X, mentioning plans for a personal meeting to discuss concrete steps for achieving a durable peace. He acknowledged the critical support from the United States in defending Ukraine’s independence and highlighted the ongoing Russian aggression.
Earlier this week, Zelensky expressed his readiness to work with Trump if he wins the presidency. This phone call further solidifies their potential collaboration.
Recently, Trump hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at Mar-a-Lago to deliberate on the Ukraine conflict. Orbán, leading the EU Council’s rotating presidency, has been a staunch critic of the Western approach to the war and a proponent of initiating peace talks. Following his visits to Beijing, Istanbul, and Moscow, Orbán issued a letter outlining his concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict and the need for external intervention to foster peace.
Orbán believes that Trump, upon winning the election, will promptly act as a peace mediator and has detailed strategies for addressing the conflict. He urged the EU to reconsider its current stance and focus on reducing tensions and fostering conditions for ceasefire and peace negotiations, diverging from the Biden administration’s pro-war policies.
