Trump: Putin Might Be Done with War, But Not Interested in Peace Deal
Trump acknowledged the possibility of a deal failing, but he pointed to his own cordial relationship with Putin.
Washington: US President Donald Trump said it’s possible that Russia’s leader may not want a deal, but on Tuesday, he expressed hope that Vladimir Putin will act to help end the conflict in Ukraine.
In an interview with Fox News’ "Fox & Friends," Trump said he does not expect much trouble reaching a deal. He also suggested that Putin is likely tired of the conflict, adding, "I think they're all tired of it, but you never know."
Washington: US President Donald Trump said it’s possible that Russia’s leader may not want a deal, but on Tuesday, he expressed hope that Vladimir Putin will act to help end the conflict in Ukraine.
In an interview with Fox News’ "Fox & Friends," Trump said he does not expect much trouble reaching a deal. He also suggested that Putin is likely tired of the conflict, adding, "I think they're all tired of it, but you never know."
Trump gave the speech a day after hosting European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House to discuss his peace efforts. These talks followed his summit with Putin in Alaska last Friday.
"We will learn more about President Putin in the coming weeks... "He might not want to make a deal," Trump stated, adding that Putin would be in a "tough situation" otherwise.
Following Monday's discussions, Trump had claimed to have phoned Putin to assist in arranging a one-on-one meeting between Zelenskiy and Putin, which would be followed by a trilateral meeting in which he would also participate.
"We will learn more about President Putin in the coming weeks... "He might not want to make a deal," Trump stated, adding that Putin would be in a "tough situation" otherwise.
Following Monday's discussions, Trump had claimed to have phoned Putin to assist in arranging a one-on-one meeting between Zelenskiy and Putin, which would be followed by a trilateral meeting in which he would also participate.
Trump stated in the Fox News interview that he would not have pushed their one-on-one meeting if he did not believe that his relationship with Zelenskiy and Putin may be "a little bit better."
Despite acknowledging the possibility that an agreement would not be reached, he also mentioned his own cordial relationship with Putin.
Trump said it would be a difficult situation if President Putin does not cooperate, but he hopes Putin will. He also hopes President Zelenskiy will do his part and be flexible.
Despite acknowledging the possibility that an agreement would not be reached, he also mentioned his own cordial relationship with Putin.
Trump said it would be a difficult situation if President Putin does not cooperate, but he hopes Putin will. He also hopes President Zelenskiy will do his part and be flexible.
Regarding the security assurances for Ukraine that Kyiv and its allies are requesting as part of any peace agreement, Trump stated that although Europe was prepared to send soldiers in some capacity, the US would not, though it could offer other support.
"There will be security of some kind. "NATO cannot be the cause," he claimed. "People will be placed on the ground by them. We're happy to assist them with things, particularly if you could discuss them on the air."
When asked if he could guarantee that US forces would not be present on the ground protecting Ukraine's border, he responded, "I can assure you of that. As you are aware, I am President.
"There will be security of some kind. "NATO cannot be the cause," he claimed. "People will be placed on the ground by them. We're happy to assist them with things, particularly if you could discuss them on the air."
When asked if he could guarantee that US forces would not be present on the ground protecting Ukraine's border, he responded, "I can assure you of that. As you are aware, I am President.