Trump Tells Zelensky He Wants to End Ukraine War 'As Soon As Possible' in Recent Call

Former President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent phone call that he wants to end Russia's war in Ukraine "as soon as possible," according to sources familiar with the conversation.

The call, which took place in recent weeks, marks another instance of Trump engaging with foreign leaders as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the Ukraine conflict quickly if elected, though he has not provided specific details on how he would accomplish this.

During the conversation, Trump emphasized his desire to bring about a swift resolution to the nearly two-year conflict that has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and significant geopolitical upheaval. The former president has previously criticized the Biden administration's handling of the war, arguing that U.S. support for Ukraine has been ineffective and costly.

Trump's position represents a notable divergence from current U.S. policy, which has focused on supporting Ukraine's efforts to expel Russian forces through military aid and economic sanctions. The former president has suggested that he would pursue negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a settlement.

This development comes as the war approaches its third year, with recent Ukrainian counteroffensives achieving limited gains against entrenched Russian positions. The conflict has become a central issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, with Trump's stance on Ukraine drawing both criticism and support from different factions within the Republican Party.

The conversation between Trump and Zelensky follows their December 2023 meeting at Mar-a-Lago, where the two leaders discussed various issues including the ongoing conflict. That meeting occurred amid heightened tensions between the Biden administration and Ukrainian officials over military aid and strategic priorities.

Trump's comments to Zelensky align with his broader foreign policy approach, which emphasizes transactional relationships and a willingness to engage with adversaries. His position on Ukraine has evolved since the beginning of the conflict, initially supporting aid to Ukraine but later criticizing the scale and scope of U.S. involvement.

As the 2024 election approaches, Trump's stance on Ukraine is likely to remain a significant point of debate, particularly given the war's impact on global energy markets, food security, and the broader geopolitical balance between Western democracies and authoritarian regimes.

The Biden administration has maintained a consistent policy of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, providing over $75 billion in assistance since the invasion began in February 2022. This approach has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, though some Republican lawmakers have begun questioning the level of U.S. involvement.

Trump's conversation with Zelensky highlights the potential for significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy depending on the outcome of the 2024 election, with implications for Ukraine's military strategy and the broader Western alliance's approach to containing Russian aggression.