Trump Confirms Set Up of Meeting With Putin
President-elect Donald Trump has stated that a meeting is in the works with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he plans to swiftly address and halt the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump made these remarks at a dinner with Republican governors in Palm Beach, Florida, emphasizing his commitment to ending the conflict as soon as possible.
Details about the meeting location, timing, and agenda were not disclosed by Trump, who also mentioned ongoing communications with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, postponing further discussions until after January 20th.
Throughout his election campaign, Trump vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine war, which he described on Thursday as a “bloody mess” where countless soldiers have lost their lives in the flat battlefields.
He emphasized the dire situation in Ukraine and his determination to stop the war, asserting that it would not have occurred if he had been in office.
Trump hinted at a potential summit with both Putin and Xi, but indicated that decisions about such meetings were still pending. He also praised Putin’s willingness to make compromises over the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the need for a negotiated settlement and potential territorial compromises.
Trump’s stance on the war differs significantly from President Joe Biden’s approach, as he has been critical of the current administration’s handling of the crisis and pledged a collaborative effort with Republican governors to address the issue.
Amid discussions about the war in Ukraine, trade relations, international affairs, and China are expected to be significant topics for discussion between Trump and Putin, should the meeting take place.
Trump made these comments before a dinner with Republican governors and following his attendance at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, praising Carter as a “good man” and a “great humanitarian.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
