Amid Approaching US Election, Trump Advisers Hold Meetings with Officials on UN Sidelines
Foreign officials are meeting with some of Donald Trump’s advisers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to understand the potential implications of a Trump victory in the upcoming election on U.S. foreign policy.
The specifics of these meetings, including who participated and the topics discussed, remain unclear. However, Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, served as president from 2017 to 2021.
Trump’s foreign policy advisers have emphasized their discretion in private discussions, avoiding the promotion of specific policies that could undermine President Joe Biden’s administration.
A reception for high-ranking foreign diplomats was hosted on Monday night in Midtown Manhattan by a firm founded by Robert O’Brien, Trump’s former national security adviser. Mike Pompeo, another former Trump administration official, was expected to host a separate reception the following night.
Despite inquiries, the Trump campaign did not comment on these advisory meetings with foreign officials. Additionally, there was no response from Pompeo’s representative regarding the planned reception.
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Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, is in a competitive race with Trump, particularly in key battleground states. Recent polls indicate Harris has a 7-point lead nationally.
One former national security adviser of Trump, speaking anonymously, mentioned receiving multiple meeting requests from foreign officials daily, many from central and eastern Europe.
Trump has been limiting his interactions with foreign leaders in recent weeks. Advisers have advised him to prioritize campaigning and avoid negative publicity as the election nears its end.
While Trump initially planned meetings with Polish President Andrzej Duda and other leaders, these events did not materialize as scheduled.
Trump mentioned potential meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy but had not held them yet.
At a rally, Trump claimed that Zelenskyy supported the Democratic Party in the election, raising concerns in Central and Eastern Europe.
Trump’s stance on U.S. aid to Ukraine as well as his potential to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin have sparked debate among his allies.
Trump’s campaign highlighted his past statement asserting his unique ability to stop the war in Ukraine.
