Trump speaks with Zelensky about assassination attempt in believed first call since leaving office

Former President Donald Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the phone, ostensibly for the first time since leaving office in January 2021.

As his chances of victory in the November election appear to grow, some world leaders have started making limited overtures to Trump in preparation for a possible second presidency. One of these has been Zelensky, who is heavily reliant on the United States for support in its war with Russia. Both parties said the call was productive.

Trump said Zelensky congratulated him on winning the Republican nomination for president and condemned the “heinous assassination attempt” last Saturday. He also, according to the former president, “remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times.”

Notably, however, Trump maintained his ambiguous stance toward Ukraine, condemning the war as a whole and urging both sides to come to a peace settlement.

“I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families,” he added. “Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”

Zelensky, confirming some of the details Trump revealed, also stressed the bipartisan nature of support for Ukraine.

“Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror. Russian attacks on our cities and villages continue every day,” he added. “We agreed with President Trump to discuss at a personal meeting what steps can make peace fair and truly lasting.”

Trump has pledged to end the war in Ukraine almost immediately upon taking office. He hasn’t revealed the exact details of such a plan, but some supporters of Ukraine fear it could entail territorial concessions as Russia continues to seize on its strategic initiative.

Trump and Zelensky have a history when it comes to phone calls — a 2019 call was the grounds for Trump’s first impeachment.