It's a pity, but this is a war that should never have happened and we will resolve it, says Trump outside Trump Tower in New York where the meeting took place.
It's a complicated puzzle... So many people have died. So many beautiful cities, he continues.
Zelensky writes on X that the meeting was very productive.
"I presented our victory plan to him, and we thoroughly discussed the situation in Ukraine and the consequences of the war for our people. Many details were discussed. I am grateful for this meeting. A just peace is needed", writes the president.
"Good relation with Putin"
Before the meeting, Trump praised his alliance with Zelensky, but said at the same time that he also has "a very good relationship – as you know – with President Putin".
Zelensky added, however:
I believe that we have a common view that the war in Ukraine must be stopped, and Putin cannot win, and Ukraine must win.
The meeting takes place the day after Zelensky met with US President Joe Biden and the Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who expressed support for Kiev.
Trump wants an agreement
Trump has repeatedly claimed that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he himself had been in the White House when it happened. This week, he criticized Zelensky for not reaching an agreement with Putin.
We continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to enter into an agreement. So many dead people. Any agreement, even the worst agreement, would have been better than what we have now, said Trump at a campaign meeting in North Carolina.
Zelensky has previously hinted that Trump does not understand the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
