Kiev, Nov 7: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed skepticism over Donald Trump’s claim that he could rapidly end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours if he is re-elected in 2024. .
In an interview with NBC News, Zelensky invited Trump to visit Ukraine, giving him the opportunity to see firsthand the widespread devastation caused by Russia’s invasion since it began in February 2022.
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“If he could come here, I would need 24 minutes — yes, 24 minutes … to convince President Trump that he cannot solve this war,” Zelensky was quoted by CNN as saying. “We cannot achieve peace because of this.”
Earlier, in a conversation with CNN in May, Trump had insisted that if Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, there would be no war if he were in office. He claimed that he could resolve the conflict within a day. If re-elected, he said, “If I’m president, I’ll settle that war in one day, 24 hours. I’ll meet with Putin. I’ll meet with Zelensky. They both have weaknesses and strengths. And within That war will be settled in 24 hours.”
Zelensky praised US President Joe Biden for his visit to Ukraine earlier in the year, indicating, “I think he understood some of the details that you can only understand by coming here. So I invite President Trump ”
Despite Ukraine’s counter-offensive earlier this year, only a small part of the land has been reclaimed, facing substantial resistance from heavily fortified Russian defenses along some 1,000 km. Russia still maintains control over about a fifth of Ukraine and has recently launched new offensives in various areas near Avdivka and Vuhledar in Donetsk, as well as Kupyansk in Kharkiv.
Zelensky acknowledged the challenging situation but rejected the idea that the war had reached a stalemate. He commented, “We retain control of the initiative. You can imagine the damage caused by a full-scale war or a conflict going on for two years. Everyone gets tired, even Steele. Then “Also, I am proud of our soldiers and our people for their resilience. They have the determination to prevail.”
