Washington: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is being arranged. However, Trump did not specify a timeline for the talks between the two leaders.
Why This Matters
Trump’s return to the White House on January 20 has reignited discussions about resolving Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. While some hope for a diplomatic solution, concerns linger in Kyiv that a hasty peace deal could compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Advisers close to Trump have reportedly suggested proposals that would see large parts of Ukraine effectively ceded to Russia, potentially altering the landscape of the ongoing conflict.
Key Statements
“He wants to meet, and we are setting it up,” Trump said during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
“President Putin wants to meet. He has said that even publicly, and we have to get that war over with. That’s a bloody mess,” Trump added, referring to the war in Ukraine.
The Context
Since the Russian invasion began, the U.S., under the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden, has provided over $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, including $60 billion in security assistance.
The continuation of this aid at current levels remains uncertain under Trump’s presidency. Trump has emphasized his desire to bring the war to a swift conclusion, signaling potential changes to U.S. support for Ukraine.
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On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated earlier on Thursday that Putin would welcome Trump’s interest in dialogue. However, Peskov noted that no formal request for a meeting has been made, suggesting it would be more appropriate to wait until Trump assumes office.
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Ukraine’s Perspective
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed optimism about Trump’s potential role in resolving the conflict. Zelenskiy believes Trump could significantly influence the outcome of the nearly three-year-old war and help bring Putin’s aggression to a halt.
