Donald Trump Urges Vladimir Putin to Seek ‘Immediate’ Settlement with Ukraine | US News
Donald Trump has called on Vladimir Putin to promptly negotiate a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that it is now the Russian president’s “time to act”.
The US president-elect expressed on social media this past Sunday that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine “are eager to reach a deal and end the chaos”.
Advocating for an “immediate ceasefire”, he noted his familiarity with Mr. Putin, adding: “I know Vladimir well. This is his moment to step up. China can assist. The world is watching!”
In a comprehensive interview – which also included his intentions regarding deportations and pardons linked to January 6 – during NBC’s Meet The Press, Sky News’ US affiliate, he indicated that he is actively seeking to conclude the near three-year conflict.
When queried on NBC about whether Ukraine should brace for potential reductions in US aid, he replied “possibly”, reiterating that the US might withdraw from NATO if other member countries fail to enhance their contributions.
“If they’re fulfilling their financial obligations, and if I believe they’re treating us justly, then I would absolutely remain with NATO,” he stated.
On being asked if he might contemplate withdrawing the US from the alliance if that were not the case, he answered: “Absolutely. Yes, absolutely.”
He refrained from confirming whether he has had discussions with Russia’s leader since his election victory in November, citing concerns about “doing anything that could hinder negotiations”.
The former president’s request for an immediate ceasefire exceeds anything the current president Joe Biden has articulated.
This marks his clearest attempt thus far to address one of the globe’s most significant crises before his inauguration on January 20, contrasting sharply with the Biden administration’s stance, which has been to avoid pressuring Kyiv for an immediate halt to hostilities.
Mr. Trump’s latest remarks followed conversations with both the Ukrainian president and French leader Emmanuel Macron in Paris the previous day.
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Trump and Zelenskyy hold meeting with Macron
Mr. Zelenskyy characterized the discussions as “constructive,” while cautioning in a Telegram post that Ukraine requires a “just and sustainable peace, one that Russians won’t undermine within a few years”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s long-held stance that it is open to dialogues with Ukraine.
Deportations and January 6
On the domestic front, Mr. Trump reinforced his campaign promise to implement mass deportations of illegal immigrants, stating to NBC that there is “no alternative”.
He also expressed intentions to abolish birthright citizenship – as guaranteed by the 14th amendment of the Constitution – which would revoke rights from those born in the country to undocumented parents.
The initiative, he indicated, would commence with undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes – although he did not specify which offenses – before addressing “individuals beyond just criminals”.
“I believe it’s necessary,” he remarked. “It’s a very challenging situation… those individuals entered the country illegally. The ones who have been treated most unfairly are the people who have been waiting in line for ten years to enter legally.”
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In addition, he mentioned plans to issue pardons to his supporters who took part in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol right on his first day in office, stating they were “suffering tremendously”.
Mr. Trump noted that there “might be some exceptions” to his pardons “if someone exhibited radical or crazy behavior,” pointing to misleading claims that anti-Trump operatives had infiltrated the crowd.
