By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies

July 20, 2024

In a significant development on the international front, former US President Donald Trump engaged in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During this call, Trump vowed to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine if he is elected president again. He also made a sweeping pledge to bring “peace to the world” upon his return to the White House.

Trump shared details of the call on his social media platform, Truth Social, describing it as a “very good call.” He noted that President Zelenskyy condemned the recent assassination attempt on Trump and extended his congratulations on the successful Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of unity during these times,” Trump posted, citing CNN.

Trump expressed his appreciation for Zelenskyy’s outreach, stating, “I appreciate President Zelenskyy 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. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”

During a pre-election debate on June 27 with the current US President Joe Biden, Trump promised that if re-elected, he would end the conflict in Ukraine before his inauguration on January 20 of next year.

Zelenskyy, in a post on X, confirmed the call and expressed his support for Trump. “I congratulated Trump on his nomination and condemned the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania,” he said. “I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future. I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation’s freedom and independence.”

Last week, during his visit to the US, Zelenskyy commented on the anticipation surrounding the upcoming November election, noting that “everyone is waiting for November,” including Russian President Vladimir Putin. He highlighted the stark differences between Biden and Trump but emphasized that both support democracy and would be opposed by Putin.

Ukraine faces uncertainty regarding continued US support as Trump’s campaign gains momentum and Biden’s falters. Trump’s public stance on US backing for Ukraine has fluctuated, with his running mate, JD Vance, leading Republican efforts to block US military and financial aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Speaking at the Aspen Media Forum, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed concerns about future US aid to Ukraine. “Every administration has an opportunity to set its policies. We can’t lock in the future,” he said, acknowledging the possibility of changes in US support if Trump is elected. However, Blinken noted the commitment of over 20 countries, including the US, to long-term security agreements with Ukraine, emphasizing that these commitments are designed to last a decade.

“Vladimir Putin has already failed. He’s failed in the objective he set, which was to erase Ukraine from the map, to end its existence as an independent state, to subsume it into a greater Russia. That has failed and it cannot succeed,” Blinken asserted.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy made history by becoming the first foreign leader to attend a British cabinet meeting in person since former US President Bill Clinton in 1997. His visit to Downing Street at the invitation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was part of a summit involving over 45 European leaders at Blenheim Palace. Zelenskyy secured renewed pledges of support for Ukraine’s battle against Russia from European leaders.

In related news, the British Prime Minister announced coordinated action against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers circumventing Western sanctions to deliver Russian oil worldwide, following discussions with European leaders.

As the US gears up for a potentially pivotal election, the future of American foreign policy and its impact on the Ukraine conflict remains a central issue for both domestic and international stakeholders.