 "Trump says he's spoken with Putin, claims Russia does 'not want to see people dying in Ukraine'")
US President Donald Trump said that he has spoken to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and the latter said he wants to see “people stop dying in Ukraine”. The remarks from the president came in an exclusive interview with The New York Post, while he was aboard Air Force One on Friday. However, it is still not clear when the two leaders spoke to each other or if they have spoken since Trump took office in January.
Trump told The New York Post that he “better not say” exactly how many times he has spoken to Putin, but insisted that he has a “good relationship” with his Russian counterpart. The Republican firebrand expressed hope that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which is approaching its third anniversary this month ends fast. Interestingly, during his re-election bid, Trump often pledged to end the war between the two nations within 24 hours.
However, his administration has made little effort in this regard. “I hope it’s fast. Every day people are dying. This war is so bad in Ukraine. I want to end this damn thing,” he told The New York Post. Earlier this week, Trump revealed that the talks to end the war have “made a lot of progress”.
Trump says he would meet Zelenskyy soon
While flying to Florida on Friday, Trump directed his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, to “get these meetings going.” “They want to meet. Every day people are dying. Young handsome soldiers are being killed. Young men, like my sons. On both sides. All over the battlefield,” he remarked.
The president also told reporters that he would “probably” meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this upcoming week and hinted that he planned to also hold talks with Putin. “I will probably be meeting with President Zelenskyy next week, and I will probably be talking to President Putin,” Trump said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMeanwhile, the Ukrainian president is expected to lead Ukraine’s delegation at the Munich Security Conference. Vice President JD Vance and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg will also be attending the event instead of Trump.
Trump wants more from Ukraine
Earlier this month, Trump suggested that he wants secure access to Ukraine’s supply of rare earth minerals in exchange for continued US assistance to the country.
“We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine, where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, complaining that Europe had not provided Ukraine the same level of aid as the US. While Trump has often complained about the American burden of arming Ukraine, he hasn’t detailed his plans for halting or continuing support since taking office.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin told CNN earlier this week that the two nations have not held serious discussions about a possible meeting between Trump and Putin. “They haven’t had any initial contact to discuss whether they need to meet or not and if they need, when and how,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the American news outlet. A senior Russian lawmaker on the other hand told state media that “advanced” preparations were underway for a meeting, possibly as early as this month.
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