In a rare point of agreement during the ongoing 23-month-long war, both Russia and Ukraine dismiss former President Donald Trump’s claims that he could swiftly bring an end to the conflict. Trump, asserting that a full-scale invasion of Ukraine would not have occurred under his presidency, has promised to resolve the war within “24 hours” if reelected in November.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite extending two invitations to Trump to fulfill his promise, has publicly expressed skepticism about the former president’s ability to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed Ukraine’s sentiments, stating that Moscow has “no understanding of how” Trump could bring an end to the war and confirming no contact has been made with the former president regarding negotiations.
“We have not had any contacts on this,” Peskov stated, as reported by the Russian state-owned news outlet RIA Novosti.
Trump’s initial invitation to visit Ukraine came in November 2023, with the former president deeming it “inappropriate” at the time due to the Biden Administration’s involvement with Ukraine.
Zelensky reiterated the invitation during a recent Channel 4 News interview, challenging Trump to stop the war within 24 hours and labeling the former president’s words as “dangerous.”
Zelensky expressed concerns about Trump’s approach if Russia achieves success in Ukraine, posing questions about potential actions in the aftermath.
The Ukrainian leader highlighted the potential impact on NATO’s security in Eastern Europe, given Trump’s historical indifference to supporting Kyiv and the resistance from some of his allies in Congress against additional funding for Ukraine requested by President Joe Biden.
Addressing the World Economic Forum last week, Zelensky raised questions about Trump’s plans in the event of a successful Russian campaign in Ukraine, emphasizing the potential ramifications for Europe and the region’s security.
“Putin will not stop,” Zelensky asserted, “So what will Donald Trump do in the United States after that? Because in that case, it means that Europe lost and lost the largest and most powerful army in Europe, because it lost Ukraine.”
