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Donald Trump has announced plans to engage in discussions with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in an effort to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which he described as a “bloodbath”.
In a social media post on his Truth Social platform, Trump revealed that the upcoming call with Putin will address critical issues such as halting the violence that has claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers from both nations each week, as well as trade matters.
Additionally, Trump expressed his intention to speak with Zelenskyy and various NATO members on the same day, with hopes of achieving a ceasefire and ultimately bringing the destructive war to a close.
The decision to initiate these talks follows Putin’s refusal to meet with Zelenskyy in Turkey, opting instead to send a delegation led by former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky.
Although a recent meeting between the two parties resulted in an agreement to exchange prisoners-of-war, no significant progress was made towards a lasting ceasefire.
Furthermore, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov engaged in discussions, with Rubio emphasizing the Trump administration’s commitment to ending the conflict through diplomatic means.
Trump, in a separate interview, highlighted the importance of his involvement in any peace negotiations, citing his strong relationship with Putin and his belief in the potential for reaching a deal.
While criticizing Zelenskyy’s negotiating position, Trump also acknowledged Putin’s desire to improve his image and resolve the ongoing crisis.
