Kiev plans Zelensky-Trump meeting as EU's Borrell on farewell visit
Nov 10, 2024
Kiev [Ukraine], November 10: The Ukrainian government is organizing a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President-elect Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the plans at a joint press conference with EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell in Kiev on Saturday, days after Trump secured a historic second term in the White House.
"The dialogue between Trump and Zelensky has already been established," Sybiha said, after the two leaders were reported to have held a phone call that was also joined by billionaire Elon Musk.
Sybiha added: "We are open to further cooperation." Trump and Zelensky last met in New York in late September when the Ukrainian leader travelled to the United States to present his "victory plan" to defeat Russia.
Key points of the plan include further Western arms deliveries to Kiev and an invitation to join NATO in the near future. Trump's election victory has global consequences, Sybiha emphasized. While the US has been Ukraine's most important ally since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw aid to Kiev.
Borrell in Kiev for final visit in current role Borrell, the EU's foreign affairs chief, arrived in Kiev on Saturday to hold talks with Ukrainian leaders for what is likely to be the last time before his term comes to an end. "EU support to Ukraine has been my personal priority during my mandate and will remain on top of the EU's agenda," Borrell wrote on X.
He was met at the train station by the EU ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernova. He was to meet Zelensky later on Saturday.
It is Borrell's fifth and final visit to the city in his capacity as EU foreign affairs chief since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, as his five-year term draws to a close. Former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas was appointed to succeed Borrell in July.
Fighting also continued on Saturday, with one woman killed and 13 injured in a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian port of Odessa overnight.
Source: Qatar Tribune
