Trump publishes Zelensky's personal message pleading for meeting as 'without America it is impossible for Ukraine to end this war'

It appeared Trump wanted to make it look like the Ukrainian leader was keen to meet him.

In the message, Zelensky said he always speaks “with great respect” about Trump and claimed the two men “have to strive to understand each other and remain in close contact”.

Following the message, Trump earlier this week confirmed the pair would meet in the Big Apple on Friday.

Zelensky wrote: “All of us in Ukraine want to end this war with a just peace.

“And we know that without America this is impossible to achieve. That’s why we have to strive to understand each other and remain in close contact.”

He added: “Days ago, we requested a meeting with you, and I really want to hear your thoughts directly, and firsthand.

“You know I always speak with great respect about everything connected to you, and that’s how it should be. I can be in New York on Friday, which would be a good time to meet.

“I believe it’s important for us to have a personal contact and to understand each other 100 per cent.

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“Let me know if you are in the city at that time – I would really like for our meeting to take place, as part of our efforts to help us end this war in a just way.”

Trump received the message via deputy chief of mission for Ukraine’s US embassy Denys Sienik.

The meeting yesterday came amid heightened tensions between the two men.

During a visit to Mint Hill in North Carolina, the Republican nominee told supporters: “The President of Ukraine is in our country, and he’s making little nasty aspersions toward your favourite President: me.”

Trump added: “Any deal – the worst deal – would’ve been better than what we have now.”

In an attack on the Capitol about handing aid to Ukraine, Trump told supporters in Georgia this week: "Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100billion.

“I think he’s the greatest salesman on earth. But we’re stuck in that war unless I’m President.”

Zelensky, who was embroiled in Trump’s first impeachment, is usually complimentary of the ex-President.

However, the comedian-turned-politician let rip in an interview with the New York by saying that his “feeling is that Trump doesn’t really know how to stop the war even if he might think he knows how”.

During their meeting on Friday, Trump agreed to visit Ukraine after receiving an invitation from Zelensky.

He also said: “We both want to see this end, and we both want to see a fair deal made.

“It should stop and the President (Zelensky) wants it to stop, and I’m sure President Putin wants it to stop and that’s a good combination.”

Zelensky, who separately met with ougoing President Joe Biden and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris at the White House, added: “We have a common view that the war in Ukraine must be stopped. Putin cannot win. Ukrainians must win.”