Trump-Zelenskyy call highlights Ukraine war stance amid election campaign

Former US President Donald Trump announced on July 19 that he had a “very good phone call” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This marks their first conversation since Trump left the White House, coming a day after he formally accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for the upcoming presidential election. The call is significant amidst rising concerns in Europe about Trump's potential policies toward the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war if he were to win the election in November, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States,” Trump shared on Truth Social. “He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of unity during these times,” he added.

Trump emphasized his appreciation for Zelenskyy’s outreach, stating, “I appreciate President Zelenskyy 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. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”

President Zelenskyy also provided his account of the call on X, noting that he congratulated Trump on his nomination and condemned the “shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.” Zelenskyy expressed his wishes for Trump’s strength and safety, adding, “I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation’s freedom and independence.” He concluded, “We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting.”

Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump has consistently claimed he could resolve the conflict within a day, though his precise strategy remains vague. In a recent CNN presidential debate, Trump deemed Putin’s terms for peace, which include Ukraine ceding four occupied territories, as “not acceptable.” Nonetheless, Trump and his allies have criticized ongoing US military aid to Kyiv.

The former president's critical stance on NATO defence spending has also stirred controversy. In February, Trump remarked he would let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO members failing to meet defence spending guidelines, causing alarm among leaders in Washington and Europe.

The history between Trump and Zelenskyy is complex. Nearly five years ago, Trump urged Zelenskyy to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, during a call ahead of the 2020 election—a call Trump labelled as “perfect.” This incident contributed to Trump's first impeachment.

European diplomats have been actively preparing for Trump’s potential return to the White House, setting up guardrails for NATO and ensuring sustained support for Ukraine. Last week, during his US visit, Zelenskyy remarked, “Everyone is waiting for November,” including Putin. He observed that while Biden and Trump are “very different,” both support democracy, leading him to claim, “I think Putin will hate both of them.