"Zelensky Responds to Trump's Claim on Ending Russia-Ukraine War in 24 Hours: 'Very Dangerous'"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently voiced profound concern over Donald Trump's statement that he could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours if he were to return to office. Zelensky first publicly acknowledged his apprehension about Trump's assertion during an interview with Britain's Channel Four News last Friday. The Ukrainian president characterized the republican favorite's boast as "highly perilous", citing the fact that Trump had not outlined his post-war scenario. While he admitted that Trump's claim might simply be electoral theatrics or what he referred to as a "political message," Zelensky found it deeply disconcerting that Trump, as president, could potentially make unilateral decisions that don't serve Ukraine or its people, and still try to push them through. Trump's propensity for making radical foreign policy pronouncements reemerged last May. He told CNN's Kaitlan Collins, "If I'm president, I'll resolve that war within a day, 24 hours." When asked how he would do this, Trump suggested meeting with both Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin and stated that within 24 hours, the war would be resolved, the conflict would end. Primarily, Zelensky has refrained from criticizing Trump, preferring not to lean heavily on the divide between Democrats and Republicans who support Trump, who have effectively impeded further U.S. funding for Kiev. Earlier this week in Davos, Zelensky responded to a similar question from a journalist, rhetorically wondering how Trump would react if Putin pushed through Ukraine — in a scenario in which Trump withdrew all U.S. support and began threatening NATO members with an invasion. Widespread speculation suggests that Russia's Putin would welcome a Trump win in this November's U.S elections as it would likely allow him the chance to retain his territorial gains in Ukraine and declare a victory. Nevertheless, Zelensky remains adamant there can be no peace agreement that does not involve the complete withdrawal of all Russian forces from the lands they have taken from Ukraine since 2014, including Crimea. In the short term, Ukraine's ability to negotiate such an outcome was significantly weakened by the failure of the summer counteroffensive. However, the Biden administration, along with the NATO alliance, has repeatedly underscored that Ukraine will not be forced to sign any deal with Russia, encapsulated in the phrase: "Nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine". When offered an opportunity to invite Trump to Ukraine during the Channel Four News interview, Zelensky did not hesitate. Addressing the camera, he said, "Please, Donald Trump, I invite you to Ukraine, to Kiev. If you can stop the war for 24 hours, I think that'll be reason enough for you to come." "Perhaps Donald Trump genuinely has some idea, a real idea, and can share it with me," Zelensky added, turning back to look at the interviewer.