President Donald Trump revealed in an interview that he has recently engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump emphasized that Putin expressed a desire to see an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating, 'He wants to see people stop dying.' The exact timing and frequency of their conversations remain unclear, with the National Security Council being contacted for further details.
The Kremlin responded cautiously to Trump's claims, neither confirming nor denying the reported conversations between the two leaders. Trump refrained from disclosing the exact number of times he had spoken with Putin but highlighted the positive rapport he shares with the Russian president.
Expressing concern over the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, Trump expressed a sense of urgency, stating, '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 previously pledged to resolve the conflict within 24 hours of assuming office.
Trump indicated that progress had been made in talks to address the Ukrainian conflict earlier in the week. During the interview conducted aboard Air Force One, Trump instructed his national security adviser to initiate further discussions, emphasizing the need for prompt action to prevent further loss of life.
Highlighting the human toll of the conflict, Trump underscored the impact on soldiers from both sides, likening them to 'young handsome soldiers' akin to his own sons. He expressed a commitment to facilitating meetings between relevant parties to address the crisis.
Looking ahead, Trump mentioned plans to potentially meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the coming week and hinted at further dialogue with Putin. The developments underscore ongoing efforts to address the conflict in Ukraine and foster diplomatic engagement between key stakeholders.
