Zelensky Dismisses Trump’s Promise to End Ukraine War Within 24 Hours as Election Rhetoric

Trump's Bold Claims on Peace Deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has brushed off U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's dramatic pledge to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict "within 24 hours" if re-elected. Trump has repeatedly asserted that his return to the White House would result in a swift peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev. During last week's presidential debate, Trump urged, "Just get it done. All right. Negotiate a deal," highlighting his commitment to resolving the conflict quickly.

Harris Counterattacks and Trump's Track Record

In response, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump, suggesting that his plan would essentially mean "giving up" on Ukraine. She emphasized her own administration's efforts to provide military support to Kiev. Despite Trump's assertive statements, Zelensky remains skeptical, viewing such promises as typical election rhetoric that may not materialize into actionable results.

Zelensky's Response and Previous Interactions with Trump

In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Zelensky downplayed Trump's remarks, stating that election promises often lack real substance. He noted that while Trump's comments might cause concern among Ukrainians, his own prior conversation with Trump was more positive. "I had a phone call with Donald Trump, and he said that he's very supportive and we had a good conversation," Zelensky shared.

Challenges to Peace Talks and Zelensky's Ten-Point Plan

Zelensky's skepticism is underscored by the historical context of peace negotiations. In April 2022, Kiev and Moscow were close to finalizing a peace agreement in Istanbul, but the talks were halted by Western intervention. Ukraine has since maintained that any future talks must adhere to Zelensky's ten-point peace plan, which requires Russia to return territories held by Ukraine prior to 2014. Moscow has dismissed this plan as unrealistic.

Republican VP Candidate's Proposal and U.S. National Security Concerns

Last week, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance proposed that Trump's potential peace plan might involve establishing a demilitarized zone around the current front lines and guaranteeing Ukraine's neutrality-ideas that align with Russia's objectives. However, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan questioned the feasibility of such rapid resolutions, suggesting that any claims of solving the conflict in a single day should be scrutinized for potential biases.

Moscow's Stance on Negotiations and Ceasefire Conditions

Moscow has ruled out negotiations while Ukrainian forces remain in Russia's Kursk Region, citing war crimes committed during the recent incursion in early August. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that he would consider an immediate ceasefire if Ukraine abandons its NATO aspirations and territorial claims.

Is Trump's Proposed Peace Deal Feasible?

As the 2024 election approaches, the question remains: Can Trump's promise of a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict be realized, or is it merely a campaign slogan?

Link of the full Presidential Debate: