Harris Meets Zelenskyy, Criticizes Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vice President Kamala Harris rejected calls for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, calling such proposals “dangerous and unacceptable.” Harris criticized suggestions from Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, who advocated for a quick settlement. The meeting followed Zelenskyy’s talks with President Joe Biden, who pledged billions in additional military aid to Ukraine.
Kamala Harris Condemns Ukraine Surrender Proposals in Zelenskyy Meeting Quick Looks:
- Vice President Kamala Harris called proposals for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia “dangerous and unacceptable” during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Harris’ comments were seen as direct criticism of Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, who have suggested Ukraine should cut a deal to end the war.
- Harris asserted that such suggestions are “not proposals for peace,” but rather “proposals for surrender,” reaffirming her commitment to supporting Ukraine.
- The meeting between Harris and Zelenskyy followed a discussion between the Ukrainian leader and President Joe Biden, who announced additional military aid, including Patriot missile systems and glide bombs.
- Biden vowed to ensure all approved funding is delivered before he leaves office and emphasized that Ukraine would prevail in the conflict.
- Trump has criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, claiming the ongoing military support prolongs the war, while Zelenskyy has increasingly clashed with Trump’s rhetoric.
- During his trip to Washington, Zelenskyy found bipartisan support from Senate leaders but faces growing partisan divides on U.S. support for Ukraine.
- Sen. Lindsay Graham said Zelenskyy sought to use long-range weapons like British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS to strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position with Russia.
- Zelenskyy’s relationship with Trump has worsened after he criticized Trump’s running mate JD Vance in a recent interview, calling his ideas “too radical” for suggesting Ukraine give up territory.
- Zelenskyy’s U.S. visit also drew criticism from Republicans for being politically charged, as House Speaker Mike Johnson accused him of interfering in the upcoming U.S. election.
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris sharply rejected the notion that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as a way to end the ongoing war, calling such suggestions “dangerous and unacceptable.” Harris’ remarks, made during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, were a clear rebuttal to Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who have argued for a swift settlement to the conflict.
“They are not proposals for peace,” Harris said of these ideas. “Instead, they are proposals for surrender.”
The vice president’s remarks underscore the stark divide between Democrats and Republicans on U.S. support for Ukraine as the war faces increasing scrutiny ahead of the 2024 presidential election. While Harris pledged to continue backing Ukraine with military assistance if elected president, Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s billions of dollars in aid to Kyiv, arguing that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia and end the conflict.
Biden’s Commitment to Ukraine
The meeting between Harris and Zelenskyy came just after the Ukrainian president sat down with President Joe Biden, who announced a new package of military aid, including Patriot missile systems and glide bombs. Biden reassured Zelenskyy that all approved U.S. funding for Ukraine would be delivered before his term ends, emphasizing that “Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail.”
The additional aid aims to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses as Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure increase with the approach of winter. The U.S. has been Ukraine’s largest and most critical provider of military and financial support since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.
Rising Tensions with Trump
As the war grinds on, Zelenskyy’s relationship with Trump continues to deteriorate. Trump, who has criticized the amount of aid sent to Ukraine, accused the Ukrainian leader of refusing to make a deal to end the war. Trump’s stance aligns with Russian propaganda, which blames Kyiv’s resistance for prolonging the bloodshed rather than Moscow’s aggression.
Trump’s reluctance to meet with Zelenskyy during his U.S. visit contrasts sharply with the reception the Ukrainian president received from Biden and Harris. Trump’s criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine, along with his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, raises concerns about how American aid to Kyiv would fare under a potential second Trump administration.
Trump’s first impeachment stemmed from his request for Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden while Ukraine was seeking U.S. military aid. Now, Zelenskyy is navigating the political landscape in Washington with an eye on maintaining U.S. support, regardless of who wins the 2024 election.
A Politically Fraught Visit
Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington, his first since the war began, was met with bipartisan support in some quarters. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell both welcomed him on Capitol Hill. Sen. Lindsay Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, expressed strong support for Ukraine, saying Zelenskyy requested long-range weapons to improve Kyiv’s position in negotiations with Russia.
“If we don’t make that fundamental choice this week, I think the outcome for Ukraine is dire,” Graham warned, stressing the need to equip Ukraine with British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS.
Despite this support, Zelenskyy also faced heightened political tension. His visit to a Pennsylvania munitions factory with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro drew sharp criticism from Republicans, with some accusing Zelenskyy of engaging in political theater. House Speaker Mike Johnson even demanded that Zelenskyy fire the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., alleging that the factory visit was meant to bolster Democratic campaigns ahead of the election.
The Fight Over U.S. Support
As the U.S. gears up for the 2024 election, support for Ukraine has become an increasingly partisan issue. A Pew Research Center poll from July found that two-thirds of Democrats believe the U.S. has a responsibility to help Ukraine, while only a third of Republicans share that view. Meanwhile, Americans are split on which presidential candidate would handle the war better: an AP-NORC poll in August found nearly equal levels of trust in Harris and Trump on the issue.
Zelenskyy is keenly aware of the shifting political landscape. His primary goal in Washington is to ensure continued U.S. support, regardless of who occupies the White House after the 2024 election. He is particularly focused on securing long-range Western weapons and additional military aid as a hedge against the possibility that U.S. support may wane if Trump or another Republican candidate wins the presidency.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024 election approaches, Ukraine’s war with Russia will likely remain a polarizing topic in the U.S. Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts may help secure vital military aid in the short term, but he faces an uphill battle in navigating the growing partisan divide. With Harris committed to continuing support and Trump critical of U.S. involvement, the outcome of the election could have significant implications for the future of Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
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