As the 2024 US presidential election heats up, Donald Trump has thrown a new twist into the political landscape. In a rally in western Pennsylvania, Trump claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy favors a Democratic win in the upcoming election.
Trump’s assertion comes as a contrast to some of his allies who believe that Ukraine would welcome his return to the White House, citing his perceived ability to negotiate peace with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump even went so far as to label Zelenskyy ‘the greatest salesman in history,’ noting the substantial financial aid Ukraine has received from the US.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign wasted no time in responding to Trump’s remarks. Morgan Finkelstein, Harris’ national security spokesperson, criticized Trump for failing to express support for Ukraine’s victory in the war, emphasizing that a US withdrawal would leave Putin in control of Kyiv and potentially threaten other European allies.
Zelenskyy’s office in Kyiv has yet to comment on Trump’s claim. Trump himself has not offered specifics on his proposed peace plan, only stating that he would engage in direct negotiations with Putin and Zelenskyy if he wins the election.
Zelenskyy, during his recent visit to the UN General Assembly, underscored the significance of decisive US action in hastening the end of the war.
The timing of Trump’s statement coincides with Zelenskyy’s recent US visit to present a ‘victory plan’ against Russia to President Joe Biden and other key American leaders. Vice President Harris has been vocal about her support for Ukraine and her criticism of Trump’s approach to the conflict, particularly his relationship with Putin.
Trump’s claim adds another layer of complexity to the already heated political climate. It remains to be seen how this assertion will impact the 2024 election and the evolving dynamics between the US and Ukraine. The visit of Zelenskyy to a Pennsylvania weapons factory with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, which upset some of Trump’s associates, underscores the increasing importance of Eastern European Americans, including Ukrainian-Americans and Polish-Americans, as a crucial voting bloc in states like Pennsylvania. This political maneuvering highlights the high stakes involved in the upcoming election and the international implications at play.
