Trump says he’s meeting with Zelensky on Friday

Former President Trump said Thursday he would be meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move that came after the former president had earlier reportedly rejected a meeting with the Ukrainian president.

“As you know, President Zelensky has asked to meet with me, and I will be meeting with him tomorrow morning at around 9:45 in Trump Tower,” Trump said during a press conference in New York.  

“And it’s a shame what’s happening in Ukraine, so many deaths, so much destruction. It’s a horrible thing.” 

NBC News reported Wednesday that Trump had decided not to meet with Zelensky. The former president criticized the Ukrainian president, saying while in North Carolina on Wednesday, “He’s making little nasty aspersions toward your favorite president, me,” according to the news outlet.  

Zelensky rankled Republicans after he called Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) “too radical” during an interview with The New Yorker that was released earlier this week. Zelensky’s decision to join Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) during an ammunition factory tour was also interpreted by some members of the GOP as campaigning for Democrats.  

Trump’s announcement was made the same day that Zelensky visited the White House.

The Hill has reached out to the Ukrainian Embassy for comment.