Former US president Donald Trump has claimed that Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky is “is the greatest salesman in history” for his ability to cream cash from Washington to finance the conflict with Russia.
Trump made the comment after Zelensky publicly cast doubt on the Republican candidate’s claims that he could promptly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“I think Zelensky is the greatest salesman in history. Every time he comes into the country, he walks away with $60 billion,” Trump told his supporters.
In April, the US approved a $61 billion military aid package for Kiev after months of opposition by some Republicans. Ukrainian officials are reportedly concerned that Trump could cut US military aid.
“He wants [Harris] to win this election so badly, but I would do differently – I will work out peace,” Trump added.
Zelensky called Trump’s claims into question in an interview published in The New Yorker magazine on Sunday.
“My feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war, even if he might think he knows how. With this war, oftentimes, the deeper you look at it the less you understand,” he said.
The Ukrainian leader is currently in the US, where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden, members of Congress, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, to present them with his ‘victory plan.’
While the details of it are not clear, Zelensky told ABC News that his plan is aimed at “the strengthening of Ukraine” and its army to “push [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to stop the war.”
The end of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev could be closer than one might think, according to Zelensky.
“That is why we are asking our friends, our allies, to strengthen us. It is very important,” he added.
Trump has said that he will “probably” meet Zelensky during his visit but no date has been scheduled.