Trump Open to ‘Anytime’ Meeting with Putin
US President Trump has emphasized his desire for the Ukraine conflict to come to a close. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The US president has reiterated his desire for an end to the Ukraine conflict.
US President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at any time to discuss a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
During a press conference at the White House on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his previous assertion that had he been in office in 2022, the Ukraine crisis “would have never happened.” He added, “Russia never would have gone into Ukraine. I had a very strong understanding with Putin.”
Describing Putin as “smart,” Trump claimed that the Russian leader initiated the military action in Ukraine only because "he disrespected [then-US President Joe] Biden." He emphasized his interest in quickly finding a solution to the Ukraine conflict, stating, “I would like to see that end.”
Trump noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “would like to have peace. He has told me that very strongly… but it takes two to tango,” he explained. When questioned about scheduling a meeting with Putin, he responded, “Anytime they want – I will meet.”
“We are talking to Zelensky. We are going to be talking with President Putin very soon and we will see how it all happens,” Trump asserted. He also mentioned that the United States would “likely” impose additional sanctions on Moscow if the Kremlin refuses to participate in peace talks, and that his administration would “look into” the possibility of supplying more weapons to Ukraine.
During a meeting of the Russian National Security Council on Monday, Putin acknowledged Trump’s intent to reestablish communications between Russia and the US, which had been interrupted by the Biden administration. However, he reiterated that dialogue must occur on an “equal and mutually respectful basis.” Putin also remarked on Trump’s statements about the US wanting to restore communication links and the “need to do everything to prevent World War Three,” expressing his welcome of such an approach.
As of now, the Kremlin has not been contacted by the White House to arrange a call between Putin and Trump, according to Russian President’s foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, who stated on Tuesday that Moscow is “following media reports… that Trump allegedly instructed his team to contact Russia,” while adding that the Kremlin is open to discussions with the new US administration.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at any time to discuss a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
During a press conference at the White House on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his previous assertion that had he been in office in 2022, the Ukraine crisis “would have never happened.” He added, “Russia never would have gone into Ukraine. I had a very strong understanding with Putin.”
Describing Putin as “smart,” Trump claimed that the Russian leader initiated the military action in Ukraine only because "he disrespected [then-US President Joe] Biden." He emphasized his interest in quickly finding a solution to the Ukraine conflict, stating, “I would like to see that end.”
Trump noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “would like to have peace. He has told me that very strongly… but it takes two to tango,” he explained. When questioned about scheduling a meeting with Putin, he responded, “Anytime they want – I will meet.”
“We are talking to Zelensky. We are going to be talking with President Putin very soon and we will see how it all happens,” Trump asserted. He also mentioned that the United States would “likely” impose additional sanctions on Moscow if the Kremlin refuses to participate in peace talks, and that his administration would “look into” the possibility of supplying more weapons to Ukraine.
During a meeting of the Russian National Security Council on Monday, Putin acknowledged Trump’s intent to reestablish communications between Russia and the US, which had been interrupted by the Biden administration. However, he reiterated that dialogue must occur on an “equal and mutually respectful basis.” Putin also remarked on Trump’s statements about the US wanting to restore communication links and the “need to do everything to prevent World War Three,” expressing his welcome of such an approach.
As of now, the Kremlin has not been contacted by the White House to arrange a call between Putin and Trump, according to Russian President’s foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov, who stated on Tuesday that Moscow is “following media reports… that Trump allegedly instructed his team to contact Russia,” while adding that the Kremlin is open to discussions with the new US administration.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
