Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday a meeting was being arranged between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Republican did not provide a timetable for talks between the two leaders.
why it’s important
Trump’s return to the White House on January 20 has raised hopes of a diplomatic resolution to end Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, but it has also raised concerns in Kyiv that a quick peace deal could come at a high cost. Ukraine.
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Trump’s advisers have proposed ending the war, which would effectively cede much of the United States to Russia for the foreseeable future.
Key Quotes
“He wants a meeting and we’re arranging it,” Trump said ahead of a meeting with the Republican governor at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
“President Putin wants to meet. He’s even said publicly that we have to end this war. It’s a real mess,” Trump said of the Russia-Ukraine war.
context
The United States under Democratic President Joe Biden has pledged more than $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, including more than $60 billion in security aid.
However, it is uncertain whether aid will continue at that pace under Trump, who has said he wants a quick end to the war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier on Thursday that Putin would welcome Trump’s desire for engagement but had so far not made a formal request. Peskov said it would be more appropriate to wait for Trump to take office first.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Trump could play a decisive role in the outcome of the 34-month war with Russia and help stop Putin.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Sandra Maler and Diane Craft)
