FOX News Channel’s Bret Baier has nabbed the first one-on-one interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he meets with President Trump Friday at the White House.
The meeting between the two world leaders could prove crucial to the trajectory of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war that began three years ago.
Trump has had a rocky relationship with Zelensky, particularly over the conflict that escalated to full-blown war after Russia’s invasion of its neighbor. The U.S. and other countries have sent billions in equipment and aid to help Ukraine defend itself, but Trump took office last month vowing to reevaluate his administration’s position.
The U.S. this week sided with Russia on a nonbinding United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an end to the conflict because it would have blamed Russia for the war.
Since taking office last month, Trump has refused to put blame on Russia or President Vladmir Putin. He repeatedly has questioned the U.S.’s spending in the conflict and blasted Zelensky, who was largely lauded during the Biden administration, as a “dictator” among other insults.
Trump also initiated negotiations for a peace resolution without representatives from Ukraine or other European counties that have contributed resources. Trump and Zelensky ultimately agreed to meet at the White House to hash out their disagreements and finalize a deal on rare minerals that could mean millions for the U.S. government. U.S. officials supportive of the arrangement argue that Ukraine would benefit from security guarantees when the war ends.
Baier’s interview with Zelensky is scheduled to air during Fox News Special Report at 6 p.m. Friday.
According to an advisory from the network, the interview will focus on “the meeting, the efforts underway to end the Russia-Ukraine war and other news of the day.”
