On January 31, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin could speak soon and announce something significant towards ending the conflict in Ukraine.
“We will talk, and I think we will do something important,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We want to end that war.”
According to Trump, his administration has already had “very serious discussions about the war” and efforts to end it.
“It’s a senseless situation and it needs to end.”
Trump did not specify who in his administration has been in contact with the Russians but insisted that the two sides are “already talking.” He did not mention whether he himself has been involved in the discussions.
Last week, Trump expressed a desire to meet with Putin as soon as possible to end the war.
“Based on what I’ve heard, I think Putin would like to meet as well,” he said. “Every day we don’t meet, soldiers are dying on the battlefield.”
Keith Kellogg, a retired American general involved in leading talks to end the war, said during a press conference on January 7 that preparations are underway for talks between Trump and Putin.
He added that it is possible Trump will also have talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
During his campaign, Trump promised to end the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. He now hopes to end the war within six months.
Throughout his campaign, Trump claimed that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he were president, a claim he repeated on January 31.
Trump has been a critic of the U.S. aid sent to Kyiv, arguing that Ukraine should have made concessions before the war began almost three years ago.
In a recent interview with Russian state television, Putin praised Trump as a “wise and pragmatic man” focused on American interests.
“We have always had a business-like, pragmatic relationship, but also one based on mutual trust with the current American president,” said Putin.
The Russian president dismissed the possibility of direct peace talks with Zelensky, stating that he does not consider Zelensky to be the legitimate leader of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s elections were originally scheduled for March 31, 2024, but have been postponed as the country remains under a state of war due to the ongoing conflict.
