Donald Trump to meet Zelenskiy after criticizing Ukrainian leader

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press at Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., September 26, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/ File Photo

(Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday after having criticized him on the U.S. campaign trail and expressed doubts the U.S. ally can win its war with Russia.

Trump said on Thursday they would meet at 9:45 a.m. (1345 GMT) at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Though Trump and Zelenskiy talked over the phone in July, this will be their first in-person meeting since Trump's 2017-2021 term.