During Donald Trump’s presidency, he had repeatedly attempted to sway Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into launching an investigation into Joe Biden, on account of prospective irregularities linked to Biden’s son. This insistent prodding occurred in the build-up to the United States 2020 Presidential elections and even triggered a call for impeachment against Trump in 2019.
Rewinding to that day, a seemingly pleasant meeting in the Oval Office took a hot-headed turn. Trump admonished Zelenskyy, saying ‘You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,’ and even alluding to potential risks of World War III. This disappointing conversation led Trump to back out from an impending agreement concerning access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
The fallout of this relationship presumed a bleak future for U.S. assistance to Ukraine, destabilizing its resistance against the Russian invasion. This incident raised questions regarding the evolving dynamics between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Under the intense strain of events, Zelenskyy was yearning to convene an official meeting with Trump in July 2019. He perceived this foreign policy move as highly crucial for Ukraine. Trump not only kept Zelenskyy on tenterhooks over the much-anticipated face-to-face interaction, he also hinted that U.S. military assistance for Ukraine could be subject to its leader’s cooperation in scrutinizing Hunter Biden’s business affairs.
Joe Biden was competing for the Democratic Presidential nomination at the time, and Trump seemed determined to exploit this opportunity to disorient him, less than two years before Election Day. Trump, refuting any allegations of dishonesty, went on to describe his conversation with the Ukrainian President as perfect.
Russia initiated a full-scale invasion on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, marking the largest conflict in Europe post World War II. With the troubling scenario intensifying, Biden’s administration took charge, making unwavering military and political support for Ukraine a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Continued support for Ukraine, even in these drastic times, had been staunchly defended by the Biden administration. Addressing the U.S. Congress in December 2022, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards every American for backing his nation.
Meanwhile, Trump, who was campaigning for his second Presidential term, asserted that Russia wouldn’t have dared an invasion under his presidency, and he would have managed the situation effortlessly. Upon resuming office, he attempted to modify the long-standing U.S. policy by sending delegates to Saudi Arabia for negotiation with officials from Putin’s government.
In September, President Zelenskyy embarked on a journey to the U.S. alongside Biden to express gratitude to the Ammunition factory workers in Pennsylvania, contributing significantly to Ukraine’s resistance against Russian ground forces. Shortly after, he visited Trump Tower in Manhattan to debate the potential resolution to the ongoing war.
During this encounter, Trump emphasized that the feuding should cease and that President Zelenskyy was intent on achieving peace. This narrative was examined in detail when Zelenskyy was accused of campaigning for Trump’s political rivals during his Pennsylvania trip, despite the tour not being declared as being political.
December saw a again gathering between Trump and Zelenskyy in Paris, arranged swiftly by French President Emmanuel Macron. His intent was to persuade the soon-to-be President to extend support for Ukraine’s defences against the Russian invasion.
In his Presidential tenure, Trump publicly prompted Zelenskyy to hasten the negotiations for ending Russia’s war on Ukraine, warning that any delay could result in Ukraine not existing as a sovereign nation. Meanwhile, he also suggested, rather incorrectly, that Ukraine might be responsible for instigating Russia’s invasion.
During Biden’s period in office, Zelenskyy made four official trips to the White House. When the Ukrainian President announced his intention to visit Washington D.C for a planned mineral deal, Trump softened his tone, rather inconsistently, proclaiming the American support for Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s invasion as a worthwhile endeavor. Despite having previously termed Zelenskyy a dictator, Trump feigned disbelief when reminded of his own words, demonstrating a typically dismissive attitude that has often come under the scanner.