A long-sought meeting: Donald Trump to meet Ukrainian President Zelensky today

Republican presidential candidate and former United States (US) president Donald Trump would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (Sept 27).

Trump made this announcement on Thursday,just hours after Democratic President Joe Biden announced more than $8 billion in new military aid for Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since late February 2022.

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Zelensky has long sought a meeting withTrump. The two leaders spoke by phone in July but have not met in person sinceTrump's term as president ended in 2021. The meeting will take place at Trump Tower, Trump told reporters.

Asked by a reporter if Ukraine might have to give up any of its territory to reach a peace deal with Moscow - a non-starter for Kyiv -Trumpdid not rule it out."We'll see what happens," he added.

Trump shares message from Zelensky

Trump posted a message from Zelensky on his social media platform Truth Social. In themessage, Zelensky said he always speaks “with great respect” about Trump, and argues the two men “have to strive to understand each other and remain in close contact.”

“I believe it’s important for us to have a personal contact and to understand each other 100%," Zelensky added.

Harris pledges support for Ukraine

Trump's announcement (about meeting Zelensky) came just before Vice President and current Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harrispledged support for Ukraine and - in a veiled reference toTrump- said those who would have Ukraine swap land for peace with Russia were supporting "proposals of surrender."

Harris was speaking alongside Zelensky at the White House, a day afterTrumpassailed him for not making a deal with Russia thatTrumpsaid could have ended the war and shortly after the White House announcement of the new aid package, the news agency Reuters reported.

In the US, Zelensky hopes to present 'victory plan'

Zelenskyhad said before departing for New York for the annual UNGeneral Assemblyhe hoped to present his "victory plan" against Russia to Harris,Trumpand Biden.

Meanwhile, the US aid announced by Biden includes the first shipment of a precision-guided glide bomb called the Joint Standoff Weapon, with a range of up to 130 kilometres.

The medium-range missile gives Ukraine a major upgrade to the weapons it is using to strike Russian forces, allowing the Ukrainians to do it at safer distances.

Zelensky thanked Biden and the USCongress for the new military aid package, saying Ukraine would use it "in the most efficient and transparent manner".

(With inputs from agencies)