Former US President Donald Trump held “a very good phone call” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, reiterating his pledge to establish a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. 

The Ukrainian leader congratulated Trump on a “very successful” Republican National Convention and “condemned the heinous assassination attempt” against him. The US presidential candidate, in turn, extended his appreciation to Zelensky “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.”

No further details were revealed of the phone conversation. 

One of the key reasons for Trump's impeachment in 2019 was a phone call with Zelensky, where Democrats accused the former president of attempting to dig up dirt on his Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, in exchange for military aid.

Zelensky urges Trump to assist Ukraine in defeating Putin

“I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our nation’s freedom and independence,” Zelensky wrote on X, concerning his aim to continue his discussion with the former president regarding the necessary steps to ensure long-lasting peace. “Ukraine will always be grateful to the United States for its help in strengthening our ability to resist Russian terror," he added.

I spoke with @realDonaldTrump to congratulate him on the Republican nomination and condemn the shocking assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. I wished him strength and absolute safety in the future.

I noted the vital bipartisan and bicameral American support for protecting our…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 19, 2024

Zelensky expects Trump to uphold his promise to end the war in Ukraine within “24 hours” of his potential re-election. The Ukrainian politician added that the worst-case scenario that should undergo under the Trump administration is the revocation of US sanctions on Russia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin declaring victory.

“We have to finish with him,” Zelensky said, the BBC reported this week during the politician's visit to the UK, referring to the Russian leader.

Zelensky stays in power despite presidency expiration

In the interview with BBC, Zelensky emphasized that he intends to remain in power until the Russia-Ukraine war ends, despite his five-year presidential term concluding in May, citing Ukraine's state of martial law as the reason he refuses to hold elections.

Russia recognizes the legitimacy of the Ukrainian parliament and it has been argued that Zelensky should transfer his presidential position to the parliament speaker following the end of his term. 

Putin has highlighted on numerous occasions that a ceasefire would be implemented if Ukraine complies with Moscow’s demands of the former Soviet state to revoke its goal to seek NATO membership and withdraw its troops from Russian territories, including Donetsk and Luhansk.

Trump vowed 'not to give a penny' to Ukraine, Orban says

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on March 11 said that former US President Donald Trump vowed not to provide financial assistance to Ukraine if elected this fall, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

Trump convened with Orban on March 8 at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss several topics of mutual interest concerning Hungary and the US.

"If the Americans do not give weapons and money, and the Europeans follow them, then the war will end. If the Americans do not give money, then the Europeans are not able to finance this war themselves, and then it will end," he said.

"Trump is not president now, but his party interferes when the Democrats want to send money to the war. Trump said that if he returns, he will not do this, [he will] not [allocate] a penny. And then this war will end," Orban added in an interview with Hungarian broadcaster M1.

Trump and Orban, longstanding allies with aligned conservative ideologies, have openly conveyed mutual admiration and assistance. Orban has backed Trump both during the US presidential election and amid the legal hurdles he encounters.