Zelensky Extends Invitation to Trump, Refutes Putin's Influence on Peace
Ukrainian President Zelensky challenges former US President Trump to visit Ukraine, questioning his ability to bring peace to the region in light of Putin's influence
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended an invitation to Donald Trump to visit Ukraine, following the former US president's assertion that he could resolve Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine within 24 hours if reelected next year. Zelensky, in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, expressed skepticism about Trump's statement and offered him the opportunity to witness the extent of Russia's invasion firsthand.
"If he is able to come here, it will take me a total of 24 minutes - yes, 24 minutes⦠to inform President Trump that he lacks the capacity to handle this war. He is incapable of achieving peace due to Putin," expressed Zelensky.
Zelensky further commended President Joe Biden's visit to Ukraine earlier this year, stating, "I believe he grasped certain intricacies that one can only comprehend by being present here. Therefore, I extend an invitation to President Trump."
Trump told CNN in May that if he had been president when Russia initiated a full-scale invasion, the war would not have occurred. Furthermore, he confidently stated that he could resolve the conflict within a day if he was reelected.
"If I become president, I will swiftly settle the war within a mere 24 hours," Trump informed CNN. "I will personally meet with Putin and Zelensky, acknowledging both their strengths and weaknesses. And within just one day, the war will be resolved."
Zelensky's remarks followed a warning from Ukraine's top commander, who said last week that the war was at a standstill. Zelensky's challenge now is to retain the support he has gained amidst global attention on conflicts in the Middle East, while facing division among US lawmakers on whether to continue funding Ukraine's war efforts.
In a comprehensive essay for The Economist, Ukraine's military chief, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, compared the situation to the First World War, noting that technology has led to a deadlock.
While Ukraine has managed to withstand Russia's large-scale invasion for over 20 months, Zaluzhny expressed the view that unless a significant technological advancement occurs to disrupt the current stalemate, "a profound and remarkable breakthrough is unlikely to be achieved."
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, photographed in his office at the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine building in Kyiv, Ukraine on June 28, 2023.
Ukrainians confront the bleak truth of an extended conflict with Russia as the battle remains at a standstill on the field. Despite initiating their counteroffensive at the start of summer, Ukraine has only been able to regain a small portion of territory. This progress was hindered by the extensive Russian fortifications stretching for almost 1,000 kilometers. Furthermore, Russia still controls approximately 20% of Ukraine and has initiated new offensives in the east, specifically targeting Avdviika and Vuhledar in Donetsk, as well as Kupyansk in Kharkiv in recent weeks.
Zaluzhny stated that the conflict had transitioned into a form of warfare known as positional warfare, characterized by static and attritional fighting. This is in contrast to manoeuvre warfare, which focuses on movement and speed. He cautioned that this shift will favor Russia, as it allows them time to strengthen their military forces for future attacks on Ukraine.
When questioned by NBC about whether he agreed with his top general's assessment, Zelensky acknowledged that the situation is challenging but disagreed that the war had reached a stalemate.
"We have the initiative in our hands. Just imagine the magnitude of a full-scale war, let alone two years of it. Everyone becomes weary, even the most resilient. Nonetheless, I take pride in our brave soldiers and our resilient people; they possess great strength. Our people are driven by a strong determination to achieve victory," he remarked.
Zelensky also highlighted Ukraine's accomplishments in the Black Sea and in Crimea, the annexed peninsula that plays a crucial role in supplying Russian troops on the mainland. "Our ammunition is relentlessly destroying the Russian fleet," Zelensky informed NBC, referencing the successful strikes on Russian warships and Crimean ports during the summer.
Former President Donald Trump told CNN's Kaitlan Collins in May he would end Russia's war on Ukraine in "24 hours."
Will Lanzoni/CNN
We cant trust terrorists
Zelensky is struggling to convince his allies of the possibility of victory, as the world's attention shifts to the Middle East conflict and with US funding for Ukraine potentially being depleted. The White House has indicated that the available funds for Ukraine military aid are rapidly dwindling, as there is a disagreement between House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Senate regarding the Biden administration's request for over $100 billion in national security funding. President Biden has called on Congress to pass the supplemental bill, which includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine and $14.3 billion for Israel, as a unified and bipartisan agreement.
Zelensky asserts that Ukraine's battle against Russia aligns with the national security interests of the United States. In an interview with NBC, he warned that if Washington's support wavered, American soldiers may risk being entangled in a wider European conflict involving Russia.
Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region of Ukraine make preparations to engage Russian forces by firing a M109 self-propelled howitzer on September 11, 2023. The image credit goes to Anna Voitenko from Reuters.
The White House has expressed concern over the depletion of funds for military aid to Ukraine, as Congress remains divided on whether to allocate additional funding. Ukrainian President Zelensky has warned that if Russia continues to pose a threat, NATO countries may be attacked, and the consequences for sending troops could be severe.
"When questioned about the necessity of US lawmakers approving additional military aid to Ukraine, he emphasized the importance of visiting Ukraine to truly understand. He emphasized that the Ukrainian people and their values are no different from ours."
"As the reluctance from Congress to authorize further funding for Ukraine persists, various Republican presidential candidates, along with other western officials, have urged Ukraine to engage in peace negotiations with Russia as a means to resolve the conflict."
Zelensky, who strongly disapproved of engaging in peace negotiations, stated to NBC, "I am unwilling to engage in dialogue with terrorists as their promises hold no value. Absolutely none. Trusting terrorists is impossible, as they inevitably reemerge, without fail."
