Trump and Zelensky discussed situation in Donbass, corruption, Normandy format and energy security. President of Ukraine also explained what “my person” means in relation to Prosecutor General Ryaboshapka

Ukrainian News
Марина ПищулинаQHA media
26 September 2019, 13:35
Марина ПищулинаQHA media
26 September 2019, 13:35

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at a meeting in New York discussed a wide range of issues.

Heads of two states told about the issues discussed at a joint briefing.

In particular, Trump expressed the hope that Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet and "solve their problem."

“We’re working with Ukraine. And we want other countries to work with Ukraine. When I saw “work,” I’m referring to money. They should put up more money. We put up a lot of money. I gave you anti-tank busters that — frankly, President Obama was sending you pillows and sheets. And I gave you anti-tank busters. And a lot of people didn’t want to do that, but I did it. And I really hope that Russia — because I really believe that President Putin would like to do something. I really hope that you and President Putin get together and can solve your problem. That would be a tremendous achievement,” Trump said.

The head of the United States also answered the question of whether he wants President Zelensky to investigate in detail the alleged money laundering in Ukraine, by the son of Joe Biden, the main rival of Trump in the 2020 elections.

“No. I want him to do whatever he can.  This was not his fault; he wasn’t there.  He’s just been here recently.  But whatever he can do in terms of corruption, because the corruption is massive. Now, when Biden’s son walks away with millions of dollars from Ukraine, and he knows nothing, and they’re paying him millions of dollars, that’s corruption. He (Zelensky – Ed.) wants to stop corruption. And if he could do that, he’s doing, really, the whole world a big favor.  I know — and I think he’s going to be successful," the head of the White House said.

Zelensky himself speaking on this subject noted that he did not want to be drawn into the 2020 US presidential election:

"I think you read everything... that nobody pushed me."

He also clarified that he did not feel obliged and did not promise anything.


After a joint briefing, Zelensky held a press conference at which he announced that the next meeting in the Normandy format would be without the United States.

He specified that he had already approached Washington with a proposal to join the negotiations, and during a meeting with Trump he personally invited him to the Normandy format for the first time.

Zelensky explained that he wants to hold his first meeting of this format with representatives of France, Germany and Russia in the current composition. In the absence of progress, it is possible to attract other countries, including the United States:

"Now we need to meet in this format, which exists for the first time in my political life. If it does not work and will not move forward, then yes, we will attract. And not only America."

Zelensky also explained his words from the transcript of a telephone conversation with Trump on July 25 about the future Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Ryaboshapka, whom he called "my person."

"My friend (Attorney General Ryaboshapka - Ed.), it's true, he is my friend. My whole team are my people. They are not my property. I do not order them what to do. They have come a long way, the path of the election campaign,” Zelensky said.

He also noted that Ryaboshapka was not willing to take the post of Prosecutor General.

According to him, Ryaboshapka wanted to work in the President’s Office, because he went a path with it during 7 months of the election campaign.

Zelensky and Trump also discussed energy security issues.

“We want to be truly independent and have many cases so that no one would twist our arms on gas issues, energy security, coal. We discussed all this,” the Ukrainian president said.

At the same time, Trump's opponent in the US presidential election in 2020, Joe Biden, said that Trump, in a conversation with President Zelensky, put his interests above state interests.

“Our president put personal politics above his sacred oath. The House must do its job and hold Donald Trump to account for his abuse of power. I will do mine, making my case for a presidency that will mean real help for those in our country who need it most,” he wrote on his Twitter.

QHA media reported that most congressmen of the U.S. House of Representatives - 218 people - said they support charges against U.S. President Donald Trump. To make a decision on the resignation, two-thirds of the vote is required.