TRUMP: ‘I DISAGREE WITH HIM’: After posting what appeared to be private communication from Volodymyr Zelensky on his Truth Social network platform, former President Donald Trump , who had previously snubbed the Ukrainian president during his U.S. trip, announced that he agreed to meet with Zelensky Friday morning at Trump Tower in New York.
In his note to Trump, Zelensky struck a tone of obedience after Trump, just two days ago, accused him of “making little nasty aspersions” against him. “You know I always speak with great respect about everything connected with you, and that’s how it should be,” Zelensky wrote. “I really want to hear your thoughts directly,” he said. “I believe it’s important for us to have a personal contact and to understand each other 100%.”
“President Zelensky has asked to meet with me and I will be meeting with him at around 9:45,” Trump said at his afternoon news conference . But Trump, whose campaign themes include “Never Surrender” and “Fight, Fight, Fight,” indicated his view has not changed that the war in Ukraine needs to have a quick conclusion and Zelensky, by refusing to make a deal, is the main roadblock to peace. “When I look at the horror show that’s gone on — and the level of death is far greater than what is being reported — when you look at those cities they’re all knocked down, those beautiful gorgeous golden domes they’re shattered and lying on their side never to be replaced again.”
When a reporter suggested Zelensky thinks Trump doesn’t understand what it takes to win the war, Trump momentarily bristled. “Oh, then I should immediately cancel my appointment,” he said before insisting, “He knows I understand.”
“I look forward to seeing him. We’ll see. I do believe I disagree with him. Well, he doesn’t know me, but I disagree,” he said. “I will say this I believe I will be able to make a deal between President Putin and President Zelensky quite quickly.”
“What does that look like?” a reporter shouted. “I don't want to tell you what that looks like,” Trump replied
OPINION: TOM ROGAN: TRUMP’S UKRAINE PEACE IDIOCY
HARRIS: TRUMP PROPOSALS ‘DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE’: Standing with Zelensky at the White House — both literally and figuratively — Vice President Kamala Harris denounced Trump’s peace plan without mentioning him by name.
“The United States shares your vision for the end of this war, an end based on the will of the people of Ukraine and the U.N. charter, and that like we must work with the international community to secure a just and lasting peace,” Harris said, rejecting the idea that it might be time to capitulate to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands.
“There are some in my country who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory, who would demand that Ukraine accept neutrality and would require Ukraine to forego security relationships with other nations,” Harris said. “These proposals are the same as those of Putin. And let us be clear, they are not proposals for peace. Instead, they are proposals for surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable.”
“We have to keep pressure on Russia to stop the war and to make truly lasting and just peace. It’s a top priority for us,” Zelensky said. “We need to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defense to save thousands of lives and reduce Russian terror to zero. It’s achievable.”
ZELENSKY FLANKED BY HARRIS DURING DC VISIT TO MAKE VICTORY PITCH: ‘THIS WAR CAN BE WON’
BIDEN: U.S. WILL PROVIDE THE SUPPORT UKRAINE NEEDS TO WIN THIS WAR: In his White House meetings with Harris and President Joe Biden , Zelensky laid out the details of his “Plan for Victory” while Biden announced a “surge” of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine totaling nearly $8 billion dollars.
In a move that will ensure that nearly $6 billion in presidential drawdown authority will not expire at the end of the fiscal year, and that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine's war effort at least through the end of his term, Biden directed the Pentagon to allocate the remaining Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds by the end of this year.
That includes $5.5 billion in drawdown authority and $2.4 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which will provide Ukraine with additional air defense, drones, and air-to-ground munitions, including for the first time the long-range Joint Standoff Weapon, or JSOW , which can be fired from Ukraine's newly acquired F-16s, and has a range of 70 miles.
What Biden didn’t give Ukraine was permission to use the long-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia. Moreover, much of the $8 billion in assistance won’t arrive immediately. Biden promised a refurbished Patriot battery with more missiles and training for 18 more F-16 pilots for next year.
“I will convene a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany next month to coordinate the efforts of the more than 50 countries supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression,” Biden said in a statement . “Through these actions, my message is clear: The United States will provide Ukraine with the support it needs to win this war.”
OPINION: TOM ROGAN: VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY’S AMERICAN IDIOCY
Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre ( @jamiejmcintyre ) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie . Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com . If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre .
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HAPPENING TODAY: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly today after having dismissed the 21-day ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon proposed by the United States and its allies, even as Biden administration officials complained that Netanyahu had agreed to it.
Netanyahu insists Israel will not stop its fight against Hezbollah and says Israel’s military will continue “fighting with full force.”
“Israel shares the aims of the U.S.-led initiative of enabling people along our northern border to return safely and securely to their homes. Israel appreciates the U.S. efforts in this regard because the U.S. role is indispensable in advancing stability and security in the region,” Netanyahu said on his Facebook page . “Our teams met (Thursday, Sept. 26) to discuss the U.S. initiative and how we can advance the shared goal of returning people safely to their homes. We will continue those discussions in the coming days.”
“For Israel, there is a strong, strong desire to create an environment in which people can go back home, kids can go back to school, and any country would feel the same way,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an appearance on MSNBC yesterday. “Now, we believe that the best way to get that done is through diplomacy, to get an agreement that would create a secure environment, forces pulling back from the border, people having confidence to go back to their homes.”
“So you have much of the world coming together calling for this 21-day ceasefire to give us some time, to give us some space, to see if we can get a diplomatic resolution that creates that environment to get people home.”
NETANYAHU REJECTS US-LED CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL WITH HEZBOLLAH
BIDEN SIGNS CR: With President Biden’s signing of the short-term continuing resolution that will keep the government solvent until Dec. 20, Congress is leaving town until after the November election.
“The passage of this bill gives Congress more time to pass full-year funding bills by the end of this year,” Biden said in a statement Wednesday.
“My Administration will work with Congress to ensure these bills deliver for America’s national defense, veterans, seniors, children, and working families, and address urgent needs for the American people, including communities recovering from disasters,” Biden said.
“I want to thank both houses of Congress — especially Senators Murray and Collins and Representatives Cole and DeLauro — for this bipartisan agreement and for avoiding a costly government shutdown.”
MIDDLE EAST MOVES TOWARD ‘FULL-SCALE WAR’ WITH BIDEN AND CONGRESS HEADING FOR THE EXITS
INDUSTRY WATCH: Boeing and union representatives meet with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services to continue mediated negotiations.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents 33,000 members in the Seattle area, has been on strike since Sept. 13 after rejecting Boeing's 25% pay rise offer.
“The union is ready for this opportunity to bring forward the issues that members have identified as critical to reaching an agreement,” District 751 of the machinists’ union said. “We know that the only way to resolve this strike is through negotiations.”
Boeing has been forced to shut production and suspend jobs of tens of thousands of staff.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner : Netanyahu rejects US-led ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah
Washington Examiner : State Department offers $20 million reward for info leading to arrest of Iranian charged in Bolton assassination plot
Washington Examiner : Zelensky flanked by Harris during DC visit to make victory pitch: ‘This war can be won’
Washington Examiner : White House dismisses GOP criticism over Zelensky Pennsylvania visit as ‘political stunt’
Washington Examiner : Middle East moves toward ‘full-scale war’ with Biden and Congress heading for the exits
Washington Examiner : Top takeaways from assassination attempt task force’s first hearing
Washington Examiner : Opinion: Tom Rogan: How America’s allies and adversaries view Trump’s possible return
Washington Examiner : Opinion: Tom Rogan: Volodymyr Zelensky’s American idiocy
Washington Examiner : Opinion: Tom Rogan: Trump’s Ukraine peace idiocy
AP : The U.S. Is Giving Ukraine Billions More In Weapons. Here’s How They Will Help
New York Times : US Intelligence Stresses Risks in Allowing Long-Range Strikes by Ukraine
Washington Post : Zelensky, amid urgent appeal to Biden, confronts U.S. partisan split
Wall Street Journal : Zelensky Aims to Take Fight to Russia
AP : Netanyahu vows to use ‘full force’ against Hezbollah and dims hopes for a cease-fire
AP : The UN’s nuclear chief says the world needs to pursue dialogue with North Korea over nuclear weapons
Reuters : China's Coast Guard Says Philippine Vessel Took Supplies To Second Thomas Shoal
USNI News : SECDEF Austin Confident Submarine Industrial Base Can Meet AUKUS Promises
AP : New Chinese nuclear attack submarine sank during construction, US defense official says
Air & Space Forces Magazine : Air Force Faces Hits to Readiness, New Programs Under Continuing Resolution
AP : Military Recruiting Rebounds After Several Tough Years, but Challenges Remain
Aviation Week : Netherlands Declares F-35s Fully Operational as F-16 Withdraws
Business Insider : The Black Sea Has A Deadly Naval Mine Problem That Will Long Outlast The Ukraine War
Defense News : Space Command Leader Calls for Better Domain Awareness Tools by 2027
SpaceNews : Space Force Hails Progress in Missile-Warning Satellite Program
Breaking Defense : ‘I Don’t See It’: Before Their CCA Drones Even Take to the Air, Anduril and General Atomics Trade Shots
The War Zone : Third Marine XQ-58 Valkyrie Flight Test Uses Link 16 For Control
Air & Space Forces Magazine : Senator to DOD: Redo Study on Suicide by Job Specialty
Breaking Defense : Congress Denies Air Force Request for Second C-40 VIP Transport Plane
Air & Space Forces Magazine : ‘The Gucci Way’: Air Force’s Very Last KC-10 Tanker Bids Adieu at Travis
Air & Space Forces Magazine : Pentagon Needs More Accountability to Speed Acquisition: Former Defense Officials
DefenseScoop : AUKUS Open to Enabling More Emerging Tech Options Via Pillar 2
National Security Journal : Zelensky’s ‘Plan B’: Ukraine’s Fight for Survival Against Russia
National Security Journal : China’s ICBM Test Is a Clear Threat to America
National Security Journal : Ukraine’s T-84 Oplot Tank Is ‘Homegrown’ and Fighting Russia
National Security Journal : Joe Biden’s Sad Curtain Fall at the United Nations
THE CALENDAR:
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 27
9 a.m. 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons, Virginia — Virginia Tech Atlas of Artificial Intelligence Summit: "Data, Trust, and the AI of Everything, with Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA); and Young Bang , principal deputy assistant Army secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology: Register at https://www.vt.edu/link/events/ai-summit.html
10 a.m. — Middle East Institute virtual discussion: "Widening Conflict in the Middle East: Is Lebanon on the Brink of Full-Scale War?" with former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale , fellow at the Wilson Center; Randa Slim , MEI senior fellow; Eran Etzion , MEI nonresident scholar; and Brian Katulis , MEI senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy https://www.mei.edu/events/widening-conflict-middle-east
10 a.m. — Wilson Center Nuclear Proliferation International History Project virtual discussion: "Perspectives on Researching and Practicing Anti-nuclear Activism: How Academics and Activists Think About Disarmament,” with Luc-Andre Brunet , senior lecturer in contemporary international history at the Open University; Anna-Mart Van Wyk , professor at the University of Johannesburg; and Alicia Sanders-Zakre , policy and research coordinator at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/perspectives
11 a.m. — Wilson Center Mexico Institute virtual discussion: "National Guard Reform: Implications on Security Policy and US-MX Cooperation,” with Carlos Perez Ricart , professor at the Center for Economic Research and Teaching; Estefania Vela Barba , executive director of Intersecta; and Ernesto Lopez Portillo , coordinator of the Ibero CDMX Citizen Security Program https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/national-guard-reform
11 a.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion: "Japan in the Indian Ocean: Toward a Stronger Indo-Pacific Strategy,” Ken Jimbo , managing director of programs at the International House of Japan; Zack Cooper , American Enterprise Institute senior fellow; and Darshana Baruah , nonresident scholar at the CEIP South Asia Program https://carnegieendowment.org/events
12:30 p.m. 58 East 68th St., New York, New York — Council on Foreign Relations discussion: "Challenges facing the European Union, its role in supporting Ukraine against Russia, and transatlantic relations with the United States,” with Josep Borrell Fontelles , high representative for foreign affairs and security policy at the European Union and vice-president of the European Commission; and Michael Froman , CFR president https://www.cfr.org/event/navigating-europes-challenges
3 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: "Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” with Assistant Army Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Douglas Bush ; and Gen. James Rainey , commanding general of U.S. Army Futures Command https://www.csis.org/events/army-uas-roundtable-bush-rainey
TUESDAY | OCTOBER 1
3 a.m. Brussels, Belgium — Ceremony to mark the transitions from Jens Stoltenberg to new NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte , former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, at NATO Headquarters https://www.nato.int/
WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 2
1 p.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Brookings Institution 2024 Knight Forum on Geopolitics, with Arati Prabhakar , director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Mara Karlin , visiting fellow, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings; Jeffrey Feltman , John C. Whitehead visiting fellow in International Diplomacy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings; Samantha Gross , fellow and director, Energy, Security, and Climate Initiative, Brookings; Danielle Resnick , nonresident fellow, Global Economy and Development, Brookings; Valerie Wirtschafter , fellow, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Initiative, Brookings; Alexander Noyes, fellow, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings; Fiona Hill, senior fellow, Center on the U.S. and Europe, Brookings; Colin Kahl , Sydney Stein, Jr. Scholar in Residence, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings; Lynn Kuok , fellow and Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies, Brookings; Suzanne Maloney , vice president and director, Foreign Policy, Brookings; Melanie Sisson , fellow, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings; retired Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford , former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Marine Corps Commandant; and Michael O'Hanlon , senior fellow, Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy, and director, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Brookings https://connect.brookings.edu/register
SATURDAY | OCTOBER 12
TBA Germany — President Joe Biden hosts a leader-level meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to coordinate with international partners on additional assistance for Ukraine.
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