President Donald Trump has responded to an invitation from Ukraine’s leader to visit the Eastern European nation and “finish the war” with Russia.
As Slay News reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wants Trump to travel to Ukraine and lay out his plans for ending the conflict with Russia in “about 24 hours.”
He made the statement during an interview with NBC on Sunday.
Zelensky invited Trump to visit Ukraine to make good on his vow of settling the Eastern European nation’s ongoing conflict with Russia in “24 hours.”
Trump has repeatedly said he would swiftly end the war if he takes back the White House in 2024.
With the next election now just one year out, Zelensky will undoubtedly begin shifting his attention to Trump, the front-runner in the presidential race.
“Former President Trump said that about 24 hours, that he can manage it and finish the war,” Zelensky told NBC.
“For me, what can I say?
“So he’s very welcome as well.”
Trump has said several times that he could strike a deal between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky to solve the war overseas in “one day.”
“If I’m president, I will have that war settled in one day – 24 hours,” Trump told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins earlier this year during a town hall.
He added he would meet with the two presidents who “have weaknesses and they both have strengths” to settle the war.
“It’ll be over, it’ll be absolutely over,” Trump said.
However, Trump was referencing actions he could take once re-elected, not in his current position.
According to Newsmax, Trump has now declined Zelensky’s invitation.
The 45th president cited concerns over creating a conflict of interest with the current Biden administration’s dealings with Ukraine.
In a statement to Newsmax, Trump expressed his respect for President Zelensky.
However, he noted that “it would be inappropriate to go to Ukraine at this time.
“The Biden administration is currently dealing with him, and I would not want to create a conflict of interest,” Trump added.
U.S. and European officials discussed the parameters of a potential peace deal in Ukraine, according to NBC News.
The discussions involved what possible negotiations with Russia would entail.
According to one current senior U.S. official and one former official who reportedly spoke to the outlet, the conversations have included a broad outline of concessions Ukraine might need to make to work out a deal.
The discussions were described as “delicate.”
Some of the talks took place last month when representatives from more than 50 allied nations, including NATO members, met for discussions.
The summit took place as political support for Ukraine is waning rapidly in the U.S. and Europe.
Concerns among U.S. and European officials have heightened as the conflict appears to have devolved into a stalemate.
Neither side has been able to gain ground.
Officials in Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration are also worried that Ukraine is running out of available manpower.
Russia, meanwhile, has a “seemingly endless supply,” the officials said.
Zelensky is also reportedly losing support and is facing a growing protest movement as a result of open-ended conscription requirements.
There is also growing unease over the attention the war effort has received in the wake of the October 7 attacks in Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.
Officials fear that the situation in Israel could further weaken political support for Ukraine.
The flailing support would make it more difficult to secure additional funding.
According to the report, a growing number of U.S. officials have been using the word “stalemate” when describing the conflict.
Many believing that the outcome will be determined by whichever side can field an army the longest.
Both sides have largely dug in, with minimal territorial gains that can be measured in yards in recent months.
Pentagon officials believe that Ukraine likely has until the end of the year to turn the situation around before the push for a peace deal intensifies.
“Any decisions about negotiations are up to Ukraine,” the National Security Council said in a statement.
“We are focused on continuing to stand strongly in support of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence against Russian aggression.”
Zelensky has pushed back on the prospect of a peace deal and has vowed to continue the fight.
