Donald Trump has spoken with Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone conversation, following the Ukrainian president's pledge to work with anyone who was in power in the U.S. The conversation came after comments by Zelensky to the BBC that he was ready for the "hard work" of a possible Trump presidency.
The GOP candidate's announcement of Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate in November's presidential election has raised concerns the U.S. commitment to Kyiv regarding the fight against Moscow might wane should they take the White House.
Vance has previously said he "doesn't care what happens to Ukraine," while Trump has decried the level of Washington's military support for Kyiv.
But Trump suggested that his phone call with Zelensky had been cordial, posting on Truth Social that the Ukrainian head of state had congratulated him becoming the GOP nominee and a "very successful" Republican National Convention.
"He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity," Trump said.
"I appreciate President Zelensky 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," wrote Trump.
He added that Ukraine and Russia "will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence."
Zelensky and Vladimir Putin are not close to agreeing to negotiations to end the fight, as Kyiv awaits the full delivery of western aid this summer and Moscow continues to suffer high losses of troops and equipment.
Trump has claimed without offering proof that he could end the war within a day, which could, according to some reports, include forcing Kyiv to cede territory.
When president, Trump's relationship with Putin was scrutinized and Kremlin propagandists have repeatedly touted that the GOP candidate would better suit Moscow than President Joe Biden.
But in a nod to what a Trump presidency might mean for the war, Zelensky told the BBC this week that working with the GOP nominee should he win in November is "hard work, but we are hard workers."
Regarding Vance's comments, Zelensky told the outlet, "maybe he really doesn't understand what goes on in Ukraine" and that "we have to work with the United States." Newsweek has contacted Zelensky's office for comment.
It comes U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that Ukraine is on its way to being able to "stand on its own feet militarily" and that American aid to Ukraine has bipartisan congressional support.
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About the writer
Brendan Cole is a Newsweek Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. His focus is Russia and Ukraine, in particular ... Read more
