Trump's Ukraine call: Zelensky reassured, Musk joins talks
A phone conversation between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which took place on Wednesday, brought two surprises: Elon Musk also participated, and Zelensky felt somewhat reassured by what he heard from the president-elect, according to two sources familiar with the conversation, as reported by Axios.
Axios writes that the new details of the conversation highlight how much influence Musk may have in Trump's second administration and the uncertainty surrounding Trump's approach to the Ukraine issue.
Europe awaits Trump's decision
Trump's public statements during the election campaign—promising a quick end to the war, refraining from specifying which side he would support, and criticizing the large aid packages coming from Washington—have caused concern in Kyiv and across Europe.
The Biden administration is now seeking ways to provide Ukraine with as much military support as possible before January 20, when Trump could potentially halt the aid.
"Donald Trump's phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday included two surprises: Elon Musk was also on the line, and Zelensky was somewhat reassured by what he heard from the president-elect," Axios writes, citing sources.
One source conveyed that Zelensky himself viewed the early timing of the conversation after Trump's victory as a positive signal. Trump has not yet spoken with Vladimir Putin after the elections, but the Russian president said he would answer if Trump calls.
The conversation between Trump and Zelensky was estimated to last about 25 minutes.
Conversation "did not increase" concern
After Zelensky congratulated Trump, the president-elect stated he would support Ukraine but did not provide details. Three sources familiar with the conversation told Axios that Zelensky felt the conversation went well and did not increase his concerns regarding Trump's victory.
One source noted that it "didn't leave Zelensky with a feeling of despair."
Musk also spoke during the conversation, saying he would continue to support Ukraine through his Starlink satellites, sources say.
Starlink has been crucial for Ukraine's war efforts. Axios reminds us that Musk has also mocked Zelensky's requests for U.S. assistance, and Zelensky reprimanded the billionaire for proposing his own peace plan in 2022.
Trump and Zelensky did not discuss in detail issues such as Trump's alleged plan to end the war or the prospect of further U.S. assistance, sources report.
Trump promised he "would not abandon Ukraine"
Zelensky met with Trump in September in New York, where they discussed the war with Russia and a possible diplomatic path to ending it.
According to three sources familiar with this meeting, Trump told Zelensky that he would not abandon Ukraine but wanted to give diplomacy a chance.
On Thursday in Budapest, Zelensky admitted that Trump wants to end the war quickly but emphasized that they did not discuss this in detail.
Three sources with knowledge of the Ukrainian government's assessment said that Kyiv expects that if peace talks occur, they will agree to participate, but Putin will either reject these talks or take steps that doom them to failure.
