Trump to Meet Ukrainian President Zelensky at NATO Summit
President Trump is set to meet with Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky during the NATO Summit on Wednesday.
As he headed to the Netherlands for the meeting of transatlantic leaders, Trump mentioned, “Yeah, I’ll probably see him,” to reporters aboard Air Force One.
According to reports, officials from both the White House and Ukraine have confirmed the meeting, which is scheduled for early afternoon during the two-day summit in The Hague.
This upcoming sit-down will be their first face-to-face interaction since April, when they met at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican City during Pope Francis’ funeral. That encounter was noteworthy, especially since it was the first time they met after a significantly tense Oval Office meeting back in February.
Just last week, Zelensky missed an opportunity to meet Trump at the G7 summit in Canada, arriving shortly after Trump had left a rally to address the escalating Iran-Israel conflict.
When reflecting on what he might say to Zelensky at the NATO summit, Trump noted, “I say, ‘How are you?’ He must be in a difficult situation.” His comments highlight the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces.
Trump also mentioned that he has been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding “help” with Iran amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. Interestingly, he stated, “Vladimir called me. He said, ‘Can you help with Iran?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t need help with Iran.'”
The dynamics between Moscow and Tehran have been well-established, with Iran providing support to Russia during its conflict with Ukraine, particularly through drone technology.
Trump later expressed, “I hope we do business,” in relation to the peace negotiations involving Ukraine and Russia. He added a somber note about the human cost of the conflict, mentioning, “That’s a shame. 6,000 soldiers died last week. 6,500 more.”
If the meeting occurs, discussions are expected to focus on Ukraine’s defense needs, such as air defense systems, as well as potential sanctions against Russia and the oil price cap.
