Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited former President Donald Trump Sunday to visit Ukraine to fulfill his claim that he could solve the Russia-Ukraine war in “24 hours,” prompting Trump to issue a response.
During an interview appearance on NBC News, Zelensky was asked about Trump’s claim that he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine in “one day” if he was reelected president of the United States in 2024.
“Former President Trump said that about 24 hours, that he can manage it and finish the war,” Zelensky said. “For me, what can I say? So he’s very welcome as well.”
During a town hall event earlier this year, Trump told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “If I’m president, I will have that war settled in one day – 24 hours.” Trump explained that he would meet with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to end the war. “It’ll be over, it’ll be absolutely over,” Trump said.
Despite Trump’s assurances that he could have the war ended almost immediately after being elected president in 2024, Zelensky suggested Sunday that Trump would not be able to bring a quick end to the conflict.
“If he can come here, I will need … 24 minutes to explain to President Trump that he can’t manage this war,” Zelenskiy stated. “He can’t bring peace because of Putin.”
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Following Zelensky’s invitation for Trump to visit him in Ukraine and discuss the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the former president released a statement to Newsmax, respectfully rejecting the Ukrainian president’s invitation to visit Ukraine.
“I have great respect for President Zelenskyy, but think it would be inappropriate to go to Ukraine at this time,” Trump wrote. “The Biden administration is currently dealing with him, and I would not want to create a conflict of interest.”
During Zelensky’s NBC interview Sunday, the Ukrainian president referenced his partnership with the Biden administration by highlighting Biden’s visit to Ukraine in February. He claimed that the visit allowed Biden to understand “some details” of the war that could only be understood by being on the ground in Ukraine.
