US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower in New York on September 27, the Kiev Independent reported.
Zelensky has been in the United States since September 22, where he held a series of meetings with foreign leaders. The Ukrainian leader also visited the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania and addressed the UN General Assembly.
In recent days, Trump's rhetoric against Zelensky and US support for Ukraine has become more strident. The former US president said Zelensky wants Democrats to win the upcoming presidential election and called him "the greatest salesman on earth."
On September 26, Trump shared a screenshot of a message purportedly from Zelensky on the social network Truth.
The message, which could not be independently verified, reportedly contained a personal request from Zelensky to meet with Trump.
"We requested a meeting with you a few days ago and I really want to hear your thoughts directly and first hand. You know that I always speak with great respect about everything to do with you, and so it should be. I think it is important that we have a personal contact and understand each other 100%," the message reads.
The Republican announced the meeting shortly after sharing the message.
During his comments to the press, Trump declined to answer whether he believed Ukraine should cede territory in exchange for peace. | BGNES
