Trump Announces Willingness to Meet Putin for Ukraine Peace Talks.
President-elect Donald Trump announced late Thursday that he is ready to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling that arrangements for a potential meeting are underway. While Trump did not provide a specific timeline, he emphasized his commitment to addressing the ongoing war in Ukraine, which he referred to as a "bloody mess."
Donald Trump recently announced his willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace talks for the ongoing Ukraine war. Trump, who has emphasized the importance of ending the conflict, stated that preparations for the meeting are underway, although no specific date has been set.
This announcement comes amid rising concerns about the war's impact and ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine. In this article, we explore the potential for peace talks, Trump's stance on the war, and the implications of a possible meeting with Putin.
Trump remarked during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, "He wants to meet, and we are setting it up." He further noted, "He has said that even publicly, and we have to get that war over with."
The Kremlin confirmed on Friday its willingness to facilitate a meeting between Trump and Putin, though no specific arrangements have been finalized. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Putin, stated, "If, after taking office, the political will to resume contacts at the highest level remains, then of course President Putin will only welcome this."
There has been no immediate response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government regarding the potential meeting.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Biden administration has pledged billions of dollars in aid and military support to Ukraine.
The potential return of Trump to the White House has sparked hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the nearly three-year conflict, but it has also raised concerns about the terms of any peace agreement, particularly if Ukraine would be forced to make significant territorial concessions to Russia.
Trump has voiced skepticism about the continued U.S. security aid to Ukraine, with some of his advisors, including Keith Kellogg, appointed as his special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, proposing potential solutions that could see Ukraine relinquish parts of its territory.
Throughout his first term in office, Trump and Putin held numerous meetings, with at least five encounters taking place across various global summits in countries such as Finland and Vietnam.
Trump has previously stated that his strong rapport with Putin could allow him to end the war in Ukraine "within 24 hours." However, Trump suggested earlier this week that a six-month timeline might be a more realistic goal for achieving peace.
"I hope to have six months," Trump told reporters, adding, "I hope long before six months."
