By Gram Slattery
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday, despite previous criticisms and doubts about Ukraine's ability to win its war with Russia. The meeting is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. (1345 GMT) at Trump Tower in Manhattan. This will be the first in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskiy since Trump's term as president.
Zelenskiy, who is currently in the United States for the U.N. General Assembly, has already met with Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. During his visit, Biden announced a new military aid package of over $8 billion, while Harris reiterated her support for Ukraine and criticized Trump for not standing up for the ally.
Zelenskiy had expressed his intention to present his "victory plan" to defeat Russia to Biden, Harris, and Trump. However, one of his goals for the meeting will likely be to improve his relationship with Trump, who has been critical of him in the past.
Trump has intensified his criticisms of Zelenskiy in recent days, claiming that Zelenskiy wants Harris to win the election and calling Ukraine "dead" and "demolished." He has also questioned the value of U.S. aid to Ukraine.
While a meeting between the two leaders seemed unlikely, Trump changed his mind during Zelenskiy's visit to the U.S. Such encounters between presidential candidates and foreign leaders have occurred in previous election campaigns, but they are sensitive due to legal limitations on what can be discussed.
The Logan Act of 1799 restricts non-government Americans from negotiating U.S. disputes with foreign officials. Despite these limitations, meetings like the one between Trump and Zelenskiy continue to take place.
Analysis:
The meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy comes at a time of tension between the U.S. and Ukraine, with Trump expressing doubts about Ukraine's ability to win its war with Russia. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for U.S.-Ukraine relations and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe. Investors should monitor the developments closely, as any shifts in U.S. policy towards Ukraine could impact global markets and investment opportunities.