Written By Lisa Murimi
Former President Donald Trump has agreed to a last-minute meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite recent criticisms on the campaign trail.
The Republican presidential nominee will host Zelensky at Trump T ower on Friday, just days after faulting him for not negotiating a peace deal with Moscow.
Trump’s campaign had previously downplayed the likelihood of a meeting, citing the strained relationship between the two leaders.
Their past tensions include Trump’s 2019 impeachment over allegations that he pressured
Zelensky to investigate then-rival Joe Biden.
The upcoming meeting takes place amid Trump’s frequent criticisms of continued U.S. funding for Ukraine.
Trump has repeatedly asserted that he could broker a quick peace deal between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though he has offered few details.
The timing of the meeting adds to growing tensions between Zelensky and the Republican Party, especially after his recent visit to an arms factory in Pennsylvania, which Republicans labeled a partisan move.
As Ukraine continues to face Russian aggression, including deadly drone attacks on Izmail, the stakes for U.S-Ukrainian relations remain high.
Zelensky’s visit to the U.S. is part of his ongoing efforts to secure international support for Ukraine’s defense
