WASHINGTON (AP) — The initial interaction between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed a push from Trump to have Ukraine investigate Joe Biden prior to the 2020 election. This conversation, which took place in 2019, ultimately led to an impeachment inquiry. A recent meeting in the Oval Office, which began on a positive note, escalated into a tense exchange between Vice President JD Vance and Zelenskyy, with Trump later raising his voice and expressing strong concerns about the potential consequences of their actions. The fallout from this encounter resulted in Trump cancelling a planned agreement that would have allowed the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a move that raised uncertainties about U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Examining the trajectory of the relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy over time:
The “Perfect” Phone Call: In July 2019, Zelenskyy sought a meeting with Trump at the White House as a key foreign policy objective. During a 30-minute phone call, Trump hinted at the prospect of a face-to-face meeting while also suggesting that future U.S. military aid to Ukraine could be tied to an investigation into Hunter Biden’s business dealings. This move was seen as an attempt to undermine Joe Biden, who was vying for the Democratic presidential nomination. Despite Trump’s characterization of the call as “perfect,” he was later impeached by the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice, becoming only the third U.S. president to face such an outcome.
Russia’s War in Ukraine: Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. provided significant military assistance to Ukraine, totaling over $65 billion. The Biden administration made supporting Ukraine a cornerstone of its foreign policy, despite some Republican dissent over the ongoing funding of the conflict. Zelenskyy, in a speech to Congress in December 2022, expressed gratitude to the American people for their support, emphasizing the importance of this assistance in safeguarding global security and democracy.
Trump’s Approach: As Trump campaigned for a second term, he claimed that under his leadership, Russia would not have invaded Ukraine and that he could swiftly resolve the conflict. Upon assuming office, Trump diverged from established U.S. policy by engaging in negotiations with Russian officials and pursuing the minerals deal with Zelenskyy. These efforts were disrupted by the fallout from the tense Oval Office meeting.
Trump Meets Zelenskyy Before the 2024 Election: Last September, Zelenskyy joined Biden on a visit to a Pennsylvania ammunition factory, showcasing solidarity and appreciation for American support in the ongoing conflict.
Calley found himself urgently in need of weapons for his country’s battle against Russian ground forces. A few days later, he made his way to Trump Tower in Manhattan for a meeting to discuss putting an end to the ongoing conflict. Following the meeting, Trump shared his perspective with the Fox News Channel, expressing his belief that the fighting should cease, noting that both President Zelenskyy and President Putin desired peace. Trump also indicated his willingness to accept Zelenskyy’s invitation to visit Ukraine in the future.
The topic of the potential visit arose again when Vance, in a later conversation with Zelenskyy, mentioned the Ukrainian leader’s prior visit to Pennsylvania in support of the opposition. Zelenskyy’s trip had not been presented as a political endeavor, but some viewed it as a strategic move to bolster Vice President Kamala Harris, given Pennsylvania’s status as a battleground state.
Despite labeling Zelenskyy as a dictator, Trump later seemed to retract that statement during a subsequent encounter in Paris where they met in the context of the Notre Dame cathedral reopening. French President Macron facilitated the meeting, aiming to encourage the incoming president to continue supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
During his tenure as president, Trump repeatedly urged Zelenskyy to expedite negotiations to end the conflict with Russia, cautioning that a failure to do so could jeopardize his leadership. Trump even suggested that Zelenskyy hold an election to determine his legitimacy, a notion aligned with Russia’s interests, before ultimately contradicting himself by acknowledging Russia as the aggressor in the situation.
Zelenskyy’s multiple visits to the White House under the Biden administration contrasted sharply with Trump’s previous interactions with the Ukrainian leader. Upon learning of Zelenskyy’s impending visit to Washington for potential mineral agreement signings, Trump moderated his stance, recognizing America’s support for Ukraine as a commendable endeavor.
When challenged about his past remarks branding Zelenskyy as a dictator, Trump appeared to backtrack, claiming he could not recall making such a statement. The series of events culminated in a dramatic turn of events by the end of the week.
