Trump Meets Zelensky/ Harris Goes to Border, and Other Signs of 2024 Fight
Filed Under: War in Ukraine, 2024 Campaign, Trump, Zelensky
Foreign Policy, Immigration Take Spotlight in 2024 Presidential Campaign Just 39 days ahead of Election Day Former President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York on Friday, while on the same day Vice President Kamala Harris visited the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting their divergent priorities as global and domestic crises collide.
Trump welcomed Zelensky at Trump Tower, saying it was an “honor” to have the Ukrainian leader with him. Zelensky said the two also shared desire to end war in Ukraine, saying: “We have a common understanding of one issue — the war in Ukraine must be stopped.”
Although Mr. Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s backing for Ukraine, he had not outlined how he would make peace between Ukraine and Russia. Even so, he did vow to quickly end the war if returned to office—and in a manner that left many questioning the specifics of how such an objective would be achieved.
Trump Slams 2019 Impeachment in Meeting with Zelensky
Trump invoked his 2019 impeachment after he and Zelensky met. On the call, Trump requested that Zelensky look into Joe and Hunter Biden, while withholding military aid to Ukraine. Kowt Peter Trump impeachment “the projector” Zelensky stood with me at that time
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump said,”is like a lump of metal” and has never accused Trump of wrong actions. Zelensky offered a quick nod to the fact that they both want Ukraine to beat Russia and signaling that he was aware of next year’s U.S. election.
Harris Takes on Immigration: Visits Border, Drops New Ad
While Trump talked foreign policy, Vice President Kamala Harris focused on immigration. TUCSON – Friday brought her first foray to the border as Democratic presidential nominee, where she visitedDouglas, Arizonanear the U.S.-Mexico line.
Harris released a new ad before her trip, touting her work as a prosecutor combatting drug trafficking and human smuggling. The spot underlined her pledge to “seal the border” with a promise to hire new border agents and bring down more resources against fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling.
As voters cite immigration as one of their top concerns this election, many believe Trump is better suited to make the southern border secure than Harris. Harris is on this visit in part to push back against that narrative and prove she is devoted to securing the border.
Gate: Trump Boasts of Good Relationships With Both Zelensky and Putin
During their joint appearance Trump praised his “very good relationship” with Zelensky and with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a bold move. Trump has said he would be able to “solve” the Russia-Ukraine conflict within hours. Zelensky replied that he hoped his relations would work better with Trump than those between Trump and Putin.
The meeting was the first time Trump and Zelensky have met face to face since Trump’s impeachment in late 2019. Their last in-person meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that year.
Final Word: Election Campaign Moves to Core Areas.
Less than 40 days until the election, Trump and Harris are honing in on two critical policy areas: foreign relations and immigration. Trump meeting Zelensky shows him doing what he does best — pursuing foreign policy; Harris border visit, new immigration ad reveal her focus on domestic security. And both are chasing the voters critical to winning in 2024, with national focus on their parts as well.