President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday his readiness to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with plans for a meeting currently in the works. At a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump revealed that arrangements are being made for the meeting, although no specific timeline has been established.
“He wants to meet, and we are setting it up,” Trump confirmed to a reporter during the press conference, emphasizing Putin’s expressed desire for a meeting. Trump went on to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, characterizing it as a “bloody mess” that he aims to swiftly resolve upon assuming office later this month.
The Kremlin responded to the proposed meeting, indicating its openness to the idea. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Russian government, expressed that while nothing had been finalized, if the political will to engage at the highest level persists after Trump’s inauguration, Putin would welcome the opportunity.
Meanwhile, there has been no immediate reaction from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration regarding the potential meeting between Trump and Putin. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has seen significant international involvement, with President Joe Biden committing substantial aid and military support to Ukraine.
Trump’s impending return to the White House has sparked hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, with the former President vocalizing his belief that his rapport with Putin could expedite the process. Trump has previously expressed skepticism regarding the continued U.S. security assistance for Ukraine, and there have been discussions among his advisors, including Keith Kellogg, his nominee for special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, about potential strategies to end the war, including the possibility of Ukraine making concessions to Russia.
In past statements, Trump has highlighted his positive relationship with Putin and its potential to swiftly bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. While Trump previously suggested that the war could be resolved within 24 hours through cooperation with Putin, he recently adjusted his timeline, indicating that achieving peace within six months might be more realistic.
Throughout his first term in office, Trump and Putin had met on at least five occasions during various summits. The upcoming meeting between the two leaders holds significance in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the potential for diplomatic progress under the new U.S. administration.
The proposed meeting between Trump and Putin has generated both anticipation and apprehension, with hopes for a peaceful resolution tempered by concerns about the potential terms of any agreement reached. As discussions continue and diplomatic efforts evolve, the international community closely watches developments in the effort to address the long-standing conflict in Ukraine.
